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

$8.5 Million Investment Brings New Affordable Housing to
Newfoundland and Labrador

The Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador today announced a combined investment of nearly $8.5 million to create new affordable housing throughout the province in collaboration with the private sector. This investment supports the development of 207 new affordable homes for seniors, families and single people with low incomes and persons with disabilities.

“Through investments in affordable housing, our government is providing assistance to those who need it most here in Newfoundland and Labrador and in all corners of the country,” said the Honourable Peter Penashue, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Regional Minister of Newfoundland and Labrador on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). “We are committed to making communities stronger through projects like these. These investments help create new jobs and stimulate the local economy, while providing more access to safe, affordable homes for Canadian seniors, families and individuals.”

More than $16 million in funding has been made available for new affordable housing projects as part of the $41 million Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Agreement for Investment in Affordable Housing 2011-14, announced last August.

“Working with our private sector community partners has proven to be an excellent way to develop more affordable housing options for people with low incomes,” said the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation. “These projects are great examples of how the private sector can help establish high-quality and affordable housing throughout the province.”

An affordable housing proposal call made in 2011 has provided 36 private and non-profit community partners the opportunity to create 254 new affordable housing units throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, including 71 fully accessible dwellings. By 2014, approximately 1,100 new affordable housing units will have been developed under this combined federal and provincial investment.

Nationally, Newfoundland and Labrador is leading the way with respect to accessibility by being the first province to require the use of Universal Design standards for all projects approved under the recent affordable housing proposal call. Features of Universal Design include but are not limited to step-free entrances, open floor plans, wider doorways and halls, slip-resistant floors, lever door handles, grab bars in bathrooms, and rocker light switches versus toggle. Universal Design is now a mandatory requirement on all affordable housing projects funded in the province. This is in addition to having one unit in each project that will be fully accessible. The goal is to make access more convenient to as many people, at as many stages of life as possible.

A key objective for the Provincial Government is to stimulate the development of affordable rental housing by the private, public and non-profit sectors. A priority is placed on developing rental housing for persons with disabilities, seniors, and those who require supports to live independently in the community. This work is in keeping with A Social Housing Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador - Secure Foundations, released by the Provincial Government in August 2009, which 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.

The Government of Canada, through CMHC, will invest more than $2 billion in housing this year. Of this amount, $1.7 billion will be spent in support of almost 615,000 households living in existing social housing. In Newfoundland and Labrador, this represents some 12,500 households. These investments are improving the quality of life for Canadians with low incomes and households living in existing social housing, including individuals who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness, seniors, persons with disabilities, recent immigrants, and Aboriginal people.

To find out more about how the Government of Canada and CMHC are working to build stronger homes and communities for all Canadians, call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc.ca 

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BACKGROUNDER
Private Sector New Affordable Housing Projects
Funded through the
Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Agreement for
Investment in Affordable Housing 2011-14

2012 03 15             11:45 a.m.