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

Contract awarded for exterior renovations at Forsey Place

Joan Burke, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, and Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC), and Harvey Hodder, MHA for Waterford Valley, today announced a $118,000 contract has been awarded to Eastern Siding Systems Ltd. to upgrade three buildings at Forsey Place in Mount Pearl.

Commenting on the project, Minister Burke said: �These upgrades are part of NLHC�s long-term preventative maintenance plan. Each year, the corporation assesses the condition of all its 5,800 non-profit social housing units throughout the province. This ongoing maintenance and modernization work helps to extend the life and usefulness of the current social housing portfolio,� the minister added.

�I�ll be very pleased to see this work underway at Forsey Place,� said Mr. Hodder. �One�s quality of life is affected by your surroundings, and this project will definitely enhance neighbourhood pride and provide tenants with safe comfortable housing conditions.�

The project involves extensive exterior renovations including the replacement of siding, doors, windows and roofing as well as some minor interior renovations on three two-unit buildings on Forsey Place. The work is scheduled to begin in late August, and the anticipated completion date is November 2005.

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

2005 08 19                     11:55 a.m.