Tenants at Perrault Place in Happy Valley-Goose Bay are seeing significant renovation work being undertaken on their homes this year. In 2007, Newfoundland Labrador Housing (Housing) developed a plan to undertake a major revitalization and renewal project for Perrault Place and has invested $776,000 in exterior and interior renovations to 24 houses in the neighbourhood. The Honourable Shawn Skinner, Minister Responsible for Housing and Human Resources, Labour and Employment, and the Honourable John Hickey, MHA, Lake Melville, made the announcement today.

"The upgrading and renewal of our social housing properties throughout Newfoundland and Labrador is a major priority," said Minister Skinner. "This is an ongoing, long-term commitment that we are quite literally building on every day. Province-wide, these residences are on average 30 to 50 years old, and we have a responsibility to ensure our social housing stock is sustained over time, for those in our communities who are most in need."

The work is being done through two major renovation contracts which Housing awarded earlier this spring. Newfound Roofing Limited of St. John�s was awarded a $443,000 contract to replace roofing, siding, doors and windows as well as update ventilation, electrical and smoke detector systems for 16 homes on Perrault Place.

Churchill Construction Limited of Happy Valley-Goose Bay was the successful proponent for the second contract which is for $233,000. This contract comprises exterior and interior renovations for eight additional dwellings on Perrault Place. These renovations include installation of new roofs, siding, doors, windows, and replacement of concrete walkways and stairs. Some interior refurbishments entail upgrading ventilation and exhaust systems and electrical work. All the renovations began mid-summer and are anticipated to be completed by September 2008.

"Improving the exterior of these properties is making a significant difference in their visual appearance," said Minister Hickey. "Changes such as these can truly revitalize a neighbourhood, encourage people to have a renewed sense of pride in their homes and environment, and contribute to a healthier community spirit overall."

An estimated $100,000 will also be spent on five of the 24 residences in Perrault Place, as well as two houses in North West River which will receive additional interior work and a tender will be called early this fall. The work is to include such items as new flooring, painting, installing updated smoke detectors.

Newfoundland Labrador Housing serves the Labrador area through its Happy Valley-Goose Bay Regional Office with 228 social housing residences which it owns and maintains. In total, these houses can accommodate approximately 570 people. The regional office covers Labrador City, Happy Valley-Goose Bay and coastal Labrador. These current renovations are part of a $27.5 million five-year investment made last year by the Provincial Government into Housing�s annual Modernization and Improvement Program, and $10 million committed in Budget 2008, over five years, for a new Interior Retrofit Program.

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