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

Roof Replacements Underway in Three St. John�s Neighbourhoods

Social housing dwellings in three St. John�s neighbourhoods are undergoing roof replacements. Newfoundland Labrador Housing (Housing) awarded $581,000 in contracts to Newfound Roofing Ltd. and G.S. Hunt Ltd. for these renovations. The Honourable Tom Marshall, acting Minister of Transportation and Works and Minister Responsible for Housing made the announcement today.

�These projects are part of significant renovations currently planned or in progress in neighbourhoods throughout the province,� said Minister Marshall. �Upgrading our older housing properties, such as these units which were constructed over 30 years ago, is a key part of the Williams Government�s long-term plan to ensure that quality and affordable social housing is available and sustained for future use.�

Newfound Roofing Ltd. is carrying out $250,000 in roof replacements on 40 units in Cowperthwaite and Mitchell Courts, and another $231,500 in roof replacements on 30 units at Portia Place and Crosbie Road. A $90,000 contract was awarded to G.S. Hunt Ltd. to replace the roofs on 14 units on Blackmarsh Road.

The 40 units on Cowperthwaite Court and Mitchell Court are undergoing complete roofing replacements, including new shingles, ventilation ductwork, insulation and new chimney tops. The work on Portia Place includes roof replacements on 10 units and another 20 units on Crosbie Road are getting new roofs. Eaves troughs and spout pipes will also be installed in units on Portia Place. The 14 units on Blackmarsh Road, located in four buildings, will also be fitted with eaves troughs and spout pipes. The anticipated completion date for all three projects is December 2009.

�It�s great to see this attention being paid to these dwellings,� said Bob Ridgley, MHA for St. John�s North. �Everybody deserves to live in affordable, comfortable and secure housing; and these renovations are helping to make that happen.�

These current upgrades and repairs are part of Housing�s annual modernization and improvement program. As part of Budget 2009: Building on Our Strong Foundation, the Provincial Government will invest $14.55 million for building, renovating and retro-fitting social housing infrastructure throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

This work is in keeping with the goals of the Social Housing Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador � Secure Foundations, which outlines a new long-term vision for social housing aimed at improving the housing circumstances of lower-income households and helping to create healthier communities.

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