Newfoundland Labrador Housing (Housing) residences in the Bonavista area will be receiving both interior and exterior renovations over the next couple of months. R & D Construction Limited of Bonavista, was recently awarded a contract for $179,000 to modernize and upgrade eight Housing buildings. The announcement was made today by the Honourable Shawn Skinner, Minister Responsible for Housing and Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, and Roger Fitzgerald, MHA, Bonavista South.

"Tenants throughout the province are now beginning to see the benefits of this government�s investment in our public housing," said Minister Skinner. "We recognized the need to upgrade and improve these structures, and it�s been exciting to see these renovations and refurbishments underway. I�ve been out speaking to our tenants, and I know first-hand how much they appreciate the work that�s being done."

Under this contract, six units will receive both interior and exterior upgrading, which includes items such as replacement of doors, windows, siding, roofing and flooring, an additional two units will have new flooring installed.

"This renewed commitment by government to the housing program will certainly improve and extend the life and function of these buildings," said Mr. Fitzgerald. "The property investment also helps the economy, as revenues generated from the project provide a boost for local housing industry suppliers."

Modernization and improvement work for this project began mid-summer and completion is anticipated by the end of January 2008. In past years, Housing�s annual modernization and improvement budget province-wide has been $4.5 million. However, the Provincial Government�s current investment will bring the annual expenditure up to approximately $10 million per year, for the next five years.

Housing owns and maintains approximately 5,700 non-profit housing accommodations throughout the province. The majority of these homes are 25 � 50 years old and house an estimated 14,000 individuals.

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