NLIS 5
September 27, 2005
(Human Resources, Labour and Employment)
The following is being
distributed on behalf of Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC):
Froude Avenue properties retrofitted through Affordable Housing Program
John Efford, Member of Parliament for
Avalon, on behalf of Joe Fontana, Minister of Labour and Housing along
with Joan Burke, provincial Minister of Human Resources, Labour and
Employment and Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador
Housing Corporation, (NLHC) today announced a major retrofit for NLHC-owned
St. John�s property.
Approximately $400,000 is going to be spent to convert a vacant building
on Froude Avenue from eight three-bedroom units into eight
energy-efficient two-bedroom units. Four of these units will be
accessible. Funding of $320,000 will be provided under the
Canada-Newfoundland Affordable Housing Agreement. The rest of the
funding, $80,000, will be provincially funded through Newfoundland and
Labrador Housing Corporation�s modernization and improvement budget for
2005-2006.
�The Government of Canada is committed to increasing affordable housing
options for those most in need throughout the country,� said MP Efford.
�This project is an excellent example of what can be accomplished when
we work together. We�re pleased to partner with the provincial
government to help create more functional, safe and affordable housing
that will benefit many people in the community for years to come.�
�It is critical that NLHC respond to the unique and changing needs of
our clients. Under the Affordable Housing Partnership, we will continue
to strive to be flexible and creative to provide units better suited to
our clients� needs,� said Minister Burke.
The retro-fitted building will have four fully accessible two-bedroom
units on the ground floor. The upper floor will be converted to four,
two-bedroom dwellings, which will address a need for smaller-sized units
as indicated by current family demographics. All the units will be
electrically heated, and equipped with individual laundry and storage
space. NLHC will review every opportunity to promote the most energy
efficient reconstruction of this property. Project planning and design
is now underway and construction is anticipated to be completed in 2006.
Media contact:
Jenny Bowing, NLHC, (709) 724-3055
Todd Selby, CMHC-SCHL, (902) 426-8127
Affordable Housing Program Agreement Summary
Objectives:
- to increase the supply of off-reserve affordable housing in Newfoundland
and Labrador;
- the housing must be affordable for at least 10 years.
Programs:
Funding under this agreement will be used to:
- stimulate the production of new rental affordable housing and the
rehabilitation of severely deteriorated existing rental affordable
housing for low-to-moderate-income households;
- create new affordable ownership housing and to rehabilitate severely
deteriorated existing affordable ownership housing for
low-to-moderate-income households in Labrador .
Administration:
- the program(s) will be administered by the Newfoundland and Labrador
Housing Corporation (NLHC);
- NLHC is responsible for the selection of affordable housing projects.
Financial Provisions:
- Maximum CMHC funding under the agreement is $15.14 million to be matched
by the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador, municipalities and others;
- Overall average CMHC funding will not exceed $25,000 per unit;
- $5.0 million in federal funding is allocated to remote areas (Labrador).
2005 09 27 1:55 p.m. |