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

Affordable Housing Upgrades Underway in St. John’s

Renovations and repairs to affordable housing in St. John’s continue as Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation has awarded contracts valued at $146,500 to complete work on 24 social housing properties in the city.

“Renovations and repairs such as these are ensuring a sustainable social housing infrastructure for our future,” said the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation “Work is ongoing throughout the province under the annual modernization and improvement program, so we can provide upgraded properties to better serve tenants.”

• Imperial Painting Inc. was awarded a contract valued at $28,500 to paint the exteriors of eight social housing units on Montague Street and seven on James Place.
• Ken-Mar General Contractors Ltd. completed $12,000 in repairs on a unit on Kennedy Road.
• Avalon Home Works Inc. is completing $25,000 in exterior renovations on one unit on Newtown Road.
• Enviro Air Quality Systems Ltd. was awarded a contract valued at $16,000 to make repairs to one unit on Ricketts Road.
• Xtreme Renos and Construction Ltd. completed $17,000 in exterior repairs on one unit on Hoyles Avenue.
• Power Vac-Belfor is completing $48,000 in repairs to six units on Prospero Place.

“I am pleased to see this work taking place throughout St. John’s,” said Dan Crummell, MHA for St. John’s West. “Through Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, our government is investing significantly in social housing to ensure properties are well-maintained and can meet the future needs of our city.”

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 low-income households 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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2012 01 10                        1:30 p.m.