NLIS 2
November 22, 2004
(Human Resources, Labour and Employment)

 

The following statement was issued today by Joan Burke, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

As my honorable colleagues may be aware, today, November 22, is designated as National Housing Day. In support of this event, I rise today, to announce the launch of Raising the Roof 2004. We join community and corporate leaders in this fund-raising effort which helps to serve those most at risk for homelessness in our province and country.

Raising the Roof is Canada’s only national homelessness charity, and last year, Newfoundland and Labrador raised $19,000 to support this campaign. Proceeds from this year’s toque sales will go to four shelter and supportive housing providers in St. John’s; Choices for Youth, Stella Burry Community Services, the AIDS Committee of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the St. John’s Native Friendship Centre Association. These organizations have recently built or are building new shelters and supportive housing in St. John’s.

This government recognizes and supports the need for safe, affordable and sustainable housing and continues to actively address this issue. An average of $66 million is allocated to support social rental housing programs in Newfoundland and Labrador each year. The province’s Provincial Home Repair Program (PHRP), offered through Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, provides approximately $9 million to over 2,000 households province-wide annually. This program is aimed at keeping lower-income people in their own homes for as long as possible and preventing them from becoming homeless.

In St. John’s alone, some $360,000 has been provided in shelter enchancement funding, through partnerships on projects like the Stella Burry Corporation’s Carew Lodge and Emmanuel House. Other properties which have been provided funding include the St. John’s Native Friendship Centre and Naomi Centre. Projects funded outside of St. John’s include the Bay St. George Status of Women’s Council and the Nain Group Home.

Also, government representatives from Health and Community Services, HRLE and NLHC work with community partners on the Homelessness Advisory Committee. This is a federal, provincial, municipal and community committee which selects and funds housing projects for people in the community who are at risk for homelessness.

As well, through NLHC’s Affordable Housing Program, approximately $1.7 million will be committed by the corporation for affordable housing units in this budget year. The funding will subsidize the construction of 54 new affordable housing units, some of which will be completed this fiscal year with the remainder being completed in early spring.

This province is committed to improving the well-being of those most at risk for homelessness and working in partnership with all levels of government and community groups to find the best possible solutions and options to address this issue. I am also looking forward to meeting with my federal, provincial and territorial colleagues at meetings in Ottawa later this month. We hope to develop an approach for a long-term national housing strategy.

2004 11 22 1:50 p.m.


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