December 22, 1999
(Municipal and Provincial Affairs)

The following is being distributed at the request of Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation:

Minister welcomes additional funding for RRAP

Lloyd Matthews, provincial minister responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC), says the recently announced federal initiative to help alleviate and prevent homelessness will mean an additional $1.9 million in funding for the Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP) in the province this year.

"I'm very pleased that we will now be able to provide assistance to another 600 families who are in critical need of home repair," Mr. Matthews said. "Most importantly, the immediate release of additional funding for RRAP will enable us to provide safer environments for persons with disabilities, low-income families and senior citizens and allow them to remain in their homes."

In Newfoundland and Labrador, RRAP funding is used to supplement the provincial funding for the Provincial Home Repair Program (PHRP). The $268 million increase for RRAP will double the current federal supplement for PHRP, providing an additional $1.9 million for the remainder of this fiscal year (March 31, 2000) and further funding over the next three years. These allocations have yet to be determined.

PHRP provides assistance to low-income homeowners to bring their properties up to minimum health and safety levels. Since the implementation of PHRP in May 1998, a significant provincial need for housing repair assistance has been identified through the substantial inquiries received throughout NLHC's regional offices. This new funding will expand availability of the program and enable the corporation to respond to those most in need of home repair.

Media contact: Jenny Bowring, NLHC, (709) 724-3055.

1999 12 22 3:30 p.m.