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

Stephenville Units Receive New Windows

The Honourable Tom Marshall, acting Minister of Transportation and Works, and Minister Responsible for Housing today announced that Newfoundland Labrador Housing (Housing) is investing $230,000 to install new windows in 44 dwellings in Stephenville.

�One of the Williams Government�s long-term goals under our new social housing plan is to upgrade our existing housing units by investing in repairs and interior and exterior retrofits,� said Minister Marshall. �There�s a lot of work to be done but we are on the right track.�

Housing staff began the renovations in August, installing new windows in homes on O�Brien, St. Clare, Fairview and Crown Avenues, and on Gallant and Brook Streets. The anticipated completion date for this project is December 2009.

"We must expect in this day and age that families, regardless of income, have an opportunity for safe and comfortable homes to live in,� said the Honourable Joan Burke, MHA for St. George�s-Stephenville East. �These upgrades are helping to make that a reality.�

�Providing comfortable, affordable housing addresses a basic need in our society,� said Tony Cornect, MHA for Port au Port. �This work will further the province�s social housing agenda and contribute to the overall aesthetics of our community.�

This work is in keeping with the goals of the Social Housing Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador � Secure Foundations, which outlines a new long-term vision for social housing aimed at improving the housing circumstances of lower-income households and helping to create healthier communities.

These current upgrades and repairs are part of Housing�s annual Modernization and Improvement program. As part of Budget 2009: Building on Our Strong Foundation, the Provincial Government will invest $14.55 million for building, renovating and retro-fitting social housing infrastructure throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

In the spring, the federal and provincial governments announced a joint investment of $93 million to build new and renovate existing affordable housing throughout the province over the next two years. Overall, the provincial contribution is $50 million, with the Federal Government contributing a further $43 million.

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2009 11 27                                                  11:25 a.m.