Advanced Education and Skills
December 4, 2013

A Vision for Strong Communities in Newfoundland and Labrador

Provincial Government Reaffirms Commitment to Supporting Affordable Housing for Most Vulnerable

The Provincial Government today reaffirmed its commitment to making communities stronger by supporting a private member’s motion on affordable housing to focus on a rental rate structure for Income Support clients based on regional market rates. The amendment received unanimous support in the House of Assembly.

“The Provincial Government remains firmly committed to improving programs and services to address affordable housing needs. Recognizing that affordable and accessible housing is a complex social problem requiring collaboration and action across governments and organizations, we will continue to help the most vulnerable women, men and families in our communities with innovative supports while leading the country in poverty reduction initiatives.”
- The Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills

The private member’s motion specifically called for government to consider the implementation of a rental rate structure for income support clients based on regional market rates. The motion was based on a recommendation in the Business Transformation Report, authored by former Auditor General John Noseworthy, as a consultant for the Provincial Government. Minister O’Brien noted that Mr. Noseworthy’s report provided 158 recommendations – and the Department of Advanced Education and Skills is doing the work necessary to assess and implement many of these recommendations.

Since the launch of a comprehensive Poverty Reduction Strategy in 2006, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has invested nearly $149 million annually to assist people living in low income households. The Provincial Government is also developing new approaches for educational upgrading and supports, including the recently announced Sector Skills program, to help people find and secure meaningful employment.

“This is a government with a proven record of meeting the needs of our most vulnerable head-on. It’s a record we intend to build substantially upon as we continue our efforts to reduce, alleviate and prevent poverty throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. “
 - Minister O’Brien

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is committed to supporting important social programs, strong communities and the health and well-being of children, families and seniors.

QUICK FACTS

• In 2012-13, 16,300 households received direct assistance through Newfoundland and Labrador Housing programs and services.
• The Rent Supplement Program provides a total of 1,732 affordable private-sector rental units to households with low-incomes. The majority of these households are seniors with an average age of 60-plus.
• Today, more Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are working than ever. Fewer Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are on Income Support than ever before.
• Newfoundland and Labrador is widely regarded by national advocates as a leader in the fight against poverty. In 2013, the Citizens for Public Justice ranked Newfoundland and Labrador first in its national Poverty Trends Scorecard.
• Since the release of Secure Foundations - A Social Housing Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador, released by the Provincial Government in August 2009, $250 million has been committed to improve circumstances of low-income households and creating healthier communities.

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Media contact:
John Tompkins
Director of Communications
Department of Advanced Education and Skills
709-729-0753, 728-7762
jtompkins@gov.nl.ca

2013 12 04                                        5:35 p.m.