Transportation and Works
December 2, 2011

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

Marystown and Grand Bank to Receive Social Housing Renovations

The Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation has invested $463,000 in contracts that will see upgrades to 14 social housing properties on the Burin Peninsula.

“The Provincial Government, through the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, makes every effort to ensure that its annual modernization and improvement program addresses needed upgrades to its social housing properties province-wide,” said the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation. “The work on the Burin Peninsula ranges from replacing siding, windows and roofs, to insulating basements and various other renovations – all of which will greatly enhance the longevity of these affordable homes.”

A contract valued at $329,000 has been awarded to Nucan Plumbing and Welding to replace windows, siding, doors and insulation on four eight-unit buildings in Grand Bank.

“I am pleased to see this work going ahead,” said the Honourable Darin King, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture and MHA for Grand Bank. “Ten years ago our greatest challenge with providing social housing was finding the funds to keep up with basic maintenance, however today, after much investment by the Provincial Government through the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, we have moved well into ensuring an affordable housing supply that will meet our future needs.”

A contract valued at $134,000 has also been awarded to Nucan Plumbing and Welding which will provide for similar upgrades to six units in Marystown.

The scheduled completion date for both projects is May 2012.

“The units that are being upgraded provide affordable homes for families living in our community,” said the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Education and MHA for Burin - Placentia West. “I am pleased to see this project on the priority list for modernization and improvement this year, as the work will provide updated and comfortable accommodations for tenants.”

A Social Housing Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador - Secure Foundations, released by the Provincial Government in August 2009, outlines a long-term vision for social housing. It is aimed at improving the housing circumstances of low-income households and helping create healthier communities. Budget 2011 Standing Strong: For Prosperity. For Our Future. For Newfoundland and Labrador allocated $25.9 million for social housing infrastructure, including $10.4 million for maintenance and $12 million for renovations and improvements.

Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation is the province’s largest landlord with approximately 5,573 non-profit social housing dwellings province-wide.

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Media contacts:

Jason Card Director of Communications Department of Transportation and Works 709-729-3015, 699-0470 jasoncard@gov.nl.ca	Jenny Bowring Manager, Communications Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation 709-724-3055 jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
Corey Parsons Constituency Assistant to the Honourable Darin King MHA Grand Bank 709-832-2531 coreyparsons@gov.nl.ca	Andrew Tobin Executive Assistant to the Honourable Clyde Jackman MHA for Burin - Placentia West 709-729-1658 andrewwtobin@gov.nl.ca

2011 12 02             11:15 a.m.