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

Home Modification Program Applications Available

Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation is accepting applications for the new Home Modification Program announced in Budget 2011 Standing Strong: For Prosperity. For Our Future. For Newfoundland and Labrador.

At the Husky Energy Easter Seals House in St. John’s today, the Honourable Darin King, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment and Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, encouraged potential individuals to apply for the program.

“The goal of the Home Modification Program is to provide assistance that will enable persons with accessibility needs the opportunity to modify their homes to suit their needs,” said Minister King. “Creating a more barrier-free living environment and helping people to live independently in their homes provides a sense of security and dignity that is fundamental.”

The $1 million budget investment for this new program, administered by Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, is being further enhanced with $2 million from the Provincial Home Repair Program; this brings the total funding for this new Home Modification Program to $3 million.

Previously, persons requiring accessibility modifications to their homes were assisted with funding under the accessibility component of the Provincial Home Repair Program. In an effort to create an enhanced, dedicated and administratively more focused program, the new Home Modification Program was introduced. It is available for persons with low-to-moderate incomes, requiring home accessibility modifications.

“We realize that accessibility can mean different things for different people,” said Minister King. “In light of that, the Home Modification Program is meant to provide people with the opportunity to address accessibility needs in their living space, hopefully making everyday life a little easier and enabling them to continue living in their own homes.”

This new program directly supports the goals of the Social Housing Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador, Secure Foundations, released in August 2009, which includes supporting home modifications to address the accessibility needs of seniors and persons with disabilities.

Assistance will be available to eligible clients in the form of a forgivable grant of up to $7,500. Repairs exceeding these levels may be addressed under a repayable loan, with modest terms, of up to $10,000, and $13,000 in Labrador.

Applications can be downloaded from www.nlhc.nl.ca, and are also available at Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation regional offices.

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2011 04 27             11:40 a.m.