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

Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador
Announce New Affordable Housing in Salt Pond

The Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador celebrated the official opening of eight new two-bedroom affordable housing units for seniors and persons with disabilities in Salt Pond on the Burin Peninsula.

The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister Responsible for 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), along with the Honourable Paul Davis, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, made the announcement today.

“Our government is investing in affordable housing here in Salt Pond and across Canada to help create jobs and improve the quality of life for those who need it most. With our partners, we are providing a helping hand for low-income seniors and persons with disabilities, and in doing so, we are contributing to the economic and social well-being of the entire community,” said Minister MacKay. “We remain focused on four priorities, as outlined by the Prime Minister, that Canadians care most about: their families, the safety of our streets and communities, their pride in being a citizen of this country, and of course their personal financial security.”

Owned and operated by Grand Fairways Resort Inc., the project received a $320,000 equally cost-shared investment from the Federal and Provincial Governments. This funding comes as a result of the $41 million Investment in Affordable Housing 2011-2014 Agreement between the Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador.

“This is another great example of a private sector developer stepping up to help meet the housing needs of seniors," said Minister Davis. “The Provincial Government, through Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, is pleased to have invested $160,000 to support this project aimed at giving seniors and persons with disabilities the security and comfort they deserve.”

A key objective for the Provincial Government is to stimulate the development of affordable rental housing by the private, public, and non-profit sectors. Priority is placed on developing rental housing for persons with disabilities, seniors, and people 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. A copy of the social housing plan is available at www.nlhc.nl.ca/SocialHsingPlan/report.pdf. 

“NLHC’s Affordable Housing Program has served my company very well both as a funding partner and a source of guidance to make these eight new homes for seniors in Salt Pond possible" said Ira Cribb, President, Grand Fairways Resort Inc. “As a private sector housing developer we are very pleased to play our part in contributing to the housing needs of seniors.”

The Government of Canada, through CMHC, will invest approximately $2 billion in housing this year. Of this amount, $1.7 billion will be spent in support of close to 594,000 households living in existing social housing. In Newfoundland and Labrador, this represents an estimated 11,400 households. These investments are improving the quality of life for low-income Canadians 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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2013 05 29                                       12:10 p.m.