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

Residential Energy Efficiency Program Launched for 2012

Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation is now accepting applications for the Residential Energy Efficiency Program. The program is designed to assist as many as 1,000 homeowners with low incomes carry out retrofits to their homes for improved energy savings this year.

“The Residential Energy Efficiency Program has had excellent results with respect to improving energy efficiency of houses,” said the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation. “This program is one of several that make it possible for homeowners with low incomes to upgrade their homes, in ways that make them more affordable in the long term.”

Assistance will be available in the form of a grant of up to $3,000 per household on the island and up to $4,000 per household in Labrador. Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation will provide funding for energy audits at the homes of successful applicants by an independent energy advisor.

In Budget 2011 Standing Strong: For Prosperity. For Our Future. For Newfoundland and Labrador the Provincial Government invested an additional $12 million to extend the program for three years. Applications will be processed in the order in which they are received to a maximum of 1,000 applications each year. Homeowners whose annual household income is $32,500 or less are eligible to apply.

The Residential Energy Efficiency Program was run as a pilot project for two years. During this period approximately $7 million in grants enabled 2,000 homeowners to make retrofits. This resulted in an average household energy savings of 35 per cent and cash savings of nearly $800 per year.

This program directly supports the goals of the Provincial Social Housing Plan - Secure Foundations, which was released by the Provincial Government in August 2009, and includes promoting renovation programs for lower-income homeowners to improve energy efficiency and conservation. It also addresses the long-term goals of the Poverty Reduction Strategy which are to improve the housing circumstances of low-income households and help create healthier communities. In addition, it supports Moving Forward: Energy Efficiency Action Plan 2011, which outlines the Provincial Government’s vision for improving energy efficiency throughout the province.

Applications can be downloaded from www.nlhc.nl.ca, or can be attained by calling: 709-724-3132 or 709-724-3211, or toll-free, 1-866-331-3436. Applications are also available at regional Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation offices.

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2012 01 06             11:05 a.m.