March 22, 2000
(Municipal and Provincial Affairs)

Housing Component Northern Coastal Labrador Strategic Initiative

Joan Marie Aylward, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC), and Ernest McLean, Minister Responsible for Labrador, today announced that the province will provide $7.7 million over the next three years to address the housing needs in the five northern coastal Labrador communities of Nain, Hopedale, Rigolet, Makkovik and Postville.

Minister Aylward said this component of the Northern Coastal Labrador Strategic Initiative will provide $6.5 million for the construction/acquisition of homes for needy individuals and families, and a further $1.2 million for the renovation of existing dwellings. "These five communities have the greatest housing need of any area of the province," said Minister Aylward.

"This initiative complements existing Torngat Regional Housing Association (TRHA) and Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC) housing program funding," said Minister McLean. "It is expected that these communities will benefit from the construction of about 65 extra houses and renovation grants for an additional 120 homes." This new funding doubles the planned housing activity of NLHC and TRHA and could result in as many as 125 new homes being developed and 280 upgrades to existing homes taking place over the next three years in the communities of Nain, Hopedale, Makkovik, Rigolet and Postville.

Minister Aylward said that the details for the design of this housing initiative have yet to be worked out. "Government will consult with the Labrador Inuit Association, the communities, the housing committees, and the Torngat Regional Housing Association on the design of the housing initiative," said Minister Aylward. "This will ensure that the resulting housing program will reflect the community culture, the particular needs and abilities of the clients, and the community expectations." Minister Aylward said that discussions concerning the design and delivery of the program will begin in the very near future.

"Building these additional new homes and renovating existing homes will go a long way to addressing much of the overcrowding which currently exists in these communities. It will also improve the overall condition of the housing in these areas," said Minister Aylward.

Media contact: Glenn Bruce, Communications, (709) 729-1983.

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