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

Provincial Homelessness Funding Announced for
Corner Brook Non-Profit Organizations

In Corner Brook today, the Honourable Darin King, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment and Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, announced $247,000 for three non-profit organizations working to curb homelessness in their community. The three are among 18 non-profit organizations throughout the province benefiting from nearly $2 million in grant funding awarded under Newfoundland Labrador Housing’s Provincial Homelessness Fund (PHF) over the past two years.

Minister King announced $200,000 for the Community Mental Health Initiative, $32,000 for the Corner Brook Status of Women Council, and $15,000 for the Salvation Army.

“We are quite fortunate to have a significant number of very active community partners who accomplish great work in communities throughout our province, including the City of Corner Brook,” said Minister King. “We are pleased to support their common goal of alleviating or preventing homelessness through grants from the Provincial Homelessness Fund.”

Under the PHF, registered non-profit groups can receive up to a maximum of $200,000 per recipient in a given fiscal year. The funding is provided to assist the groups with the costs associated with developing support services to provide on-site outreach services, and promote housing stability for those at risk of homelessness.

In addition, eligible non-profit groups may qualify for funding of up to $10,000 towards the purchase of commercial appliances including dishwashers, stoves and refrigerators. This funding would typically be used by groups who operate soup kitchens, food banks or similar programs. Non-profit groups who do not own the property they are proposing to renovate may also be eligible for a maximum of $25,000 for renovations.

“I am pleased to see this investment in these three very worthwhile projects in Corner Brook,” said the Honourable Tom Marshall, Minister of Finance and MHA for Humber East. “Each of these non-profit groups works extremely hard to reach out to people in our community who find themselves homeless or on the brink of homelessness, and their efforts deserve to be financially supported as well as applauded.”

“The Salvation Army is pleased to receive such an important financial contribution towards the delivery of services to our clients,” said Major Larry Goudie, the Salvation Army’s social services co-ordinator in Corner Brook. “This funding directly benefits everyone who walks in our door. To that end, we thank Newfoundland Labrador Housing and the Provincial Government for their support.”

A Social Housing Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador, Secure Foundations outlines a long-term vision for social housing aimed at improving the housing circumstances of low-income households and helping to create healthier communities. In Budget 2010: The Right Investments – For Our Children and Our Future, the Provincial Government is investing $27 million for housing infrastructure projects, affordable housing and increased maintenance funding. Newfoundland Labrador Housing is the province’s largest landlord with approximately 5,511 affordable social housing dwellings province-wide.

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2011 02 25             10:55 a.m.