Transportation and Works
February 3, 2012

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

Provincial Homelessness Funding Announced

Fifteen non-profit groups were awarded more than $900,000 in 2011-12 to help address homelessness in their communities. The Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, made the announcement today at an event held at the Salvation Army’s Wiseman Centre in St. John’s.

“The Provincial Homelessness Fund is part of the Provincial Government’s comprehensive approach towards addressing housing and homelessness issues,” said Minister Hedderson. “The funding helps hard-working community-based organizations maintain and expand programs which assist people in vulnerable circumstances.”

The Wiseman Centre was among the 15 organizations to receive funds. The centre was provided $124,000 to renovate the building, creating four emergency shelter accommodations for single women between the ages of 30 and 64. A list of all organizations funded is provided in the backgrounder below.

“We are delighted to receive this funding,” said Salvation Army Major Lloyd George, Executive Director of the Wiseman Centre. “The demand in our community for more shelter space to house adult single women is increasing and this gives us the ability to address this need.”

Over the past three years, Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation’s Provincial Homelessness Fund has provided 33 grants totalling nearly $3 million to 23 non-profit organizations throughout the province. Under the fund, 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 $20,000 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 substantial support for the Wiseman Centre and other important community-based organizations,” said Tom Osborne, MHA for St. John’s South. “The Wiseman Centre has been doing tremendous work in our community for many years, and this funding will assist them in expanding its valuable services.”

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 people with low incomes and helping create healthier communities. Budget 2011 Standing Strong: For Prosperity. For Our Future. For Newfoundland and Labrador also 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 729-3015, 699-0470 jasoncard@gov.nl.ca	Jenny Bowring Manager, Communications Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation 709-724-3055 jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
Major Lloyd George Executive Director Wiseman Centre 709-739-8355 lloyd_george@can.salvationarmy.org	Donna Ivey Communications Manager Government Members Office 709-729-0898, 697-1424 donnaivey@gov.nl.ca

BACKGROUNDER
2011-2012 Provincial Homelessness Fund Commitments

 

2012 02 03             2:50 p.m.