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Human Resources, Labour and Employment
July 28, 2011

Investment Increases Housing Supports in Labrador West

People in Western Labrador who face multiple challenges in their efforts to find housing can now turn to a new form of support made possible by funding provided by the Provincial Government to the Labrador West Housing and Homelessness Coalition. The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment and Lead Minister for the Poverty Reduction Strategy, announced $74,675 today through the Supportive Living Community Partnership Program to help the coalition create a Housing Support Worker position.

“The housing support worker will be a friendly face in the community who can help vulnerable people overcome a wide range of challenges in their efforts to secure housing,” said Minister King. “This investment is another example of how our Supportive Living Community Partnership Program is creating opportunities for the Provincial Government to partner with community organizations to address homelessness and advance the Poverty Reduction Strategy.”

Administered by Hope Haven Transition House in Labrador City, the housing support worker provides men and women with assistance that includes researching available housing options, helping people access government programs and services, and mediating interactions with landlords.

“I am very pleased to see this dedicated staff position created to help people with complex needs find housing,” said Jim Baker, MHA for Labrador West. “The level of economic growth in the region has made housing a foremost issue, especially for people who find themselves in vulnerable circumstances. This investment will ensure a knowledgeable person will be available to provide help on a one-on-one basis, and so I commend the coalition for bringing this project forward.”

“At a time when vacancy rates are at an all time low, we are proud to provide this much needed form of housing support to the communities of western Labrador,” said Annette Parsons, Co-Chair of the Labrador West Housing and Homelessness Coalition. “On behalf of the coalition, I thank the Provincial Government for supporting our efforts to make comprehensive and personalized housing assistance available to people who need it.”

An initiative of the Poverty Reduction Strategy, the Supportive Living Community Partnership Program provides funding to community-based organizations to develop comprehensive housing supports for people who need them. Projects funded through the program have focused on building capacity among community-based organizations, extending regional outreach services, providing training and professional development, and sharing best practices.

The program began in 2009 with a budget of $1.2 million, which was doubled in 2010 to $2.4 million, and doubled once more to $4.8 million through Budget 2011 Standing Strong: For Prosperity. For Our Future. For Newfoundland and Labrador. Today’s announcement is part of the $840,000 that was distributed to multiple community-based organizations to conclude the 2010-11 funding period. A call for proposals will soon be issued for 2011-12 program funding.

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Media contacts:

Bradley Power
Director of Communications
Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment
709-729-0753, 699-5707
bradleypower@gov.nl.ca
Donna Ivey
Communications Manager
Government Members Office
709-729-0898, 697-1424
donnaivey@gov.nl.ca
Annette Parsons
Co-Chair
Labrador West Housing and
Homelessness Coalition
709-944-9228
Annette.parsons@lghealth.ca

2011 07 28                                                                            11:45 a.m.

 
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