Ten-Year Social Housing Plan Making a Difference

The Provincial Government’s Social Housing Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador - Secure Foundations, which was released by the Provincial Government in August 2009 and outlines a long-term vision for social housing, was endorsed in the House of Assembly today. The endorsement came via a private members resolution that expresses support for the plan and recognizes the housing achievements made possible through ongoing collaboration between the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC) and advocates, experts, and stakeholders involved with housing issues.

“Great progress is being made through ongoing partnership and consultation with private industry leaders and with great community-based organizations like Stella Burry Community Services, Choices for Youth, the Salvation Army, and the St. John’s Status of Women Council,” said the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation. “We are building new units, renovating our housing inventory, increasing rent supplements, expanding programs to help people in vulnerable circumstances stay in their homes, and supporting seniors and persons with disabilities with making home modifications. Our response to the diverse needs of people in this province is comprehensive and evolving, and I look forward to achieving even more by working with community stakeholders in the future.”

Key investments by the Provincial Government to provide housing assistance to those with the greatest needs include:

• $12 million invested this year in social housing renovations;
• $8 million invested this year in the rent supplement program;
• An investment of $4.8 million per year through the Supportive Living Community Partnership Program to provide operational funding for community-based organizations that create housing supports for people with complex service needs;
• $1 million invested in the Provincial Homelessness Fund;
• $12 million invested in the Provincial Home Repair Program over the next three years;
• $12 million invested in the Residential Energy Efficiency Program over the next three years;
• $3 million made available for the Home Modification Program annually; and,
• More than $7 million for recent housing projects in St. John’s, Nain, and Hopedale.

“It was disappointing that both opposition parties chose to vote against our social housing plan when the motion was put forward, even after acknowledging the good work of this government in their comments today in the House of Assembly,” said Minister Hedderson. “Despite this lack of support for important programming and policies for people in vulnerable circumstances, we will continue with our successful approach of engaging stakeholders and supporting projects by organizations in our efforts to create enduring positive change in our province.”

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2012 03 14                   5:35 p.m.