The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Paul Davis, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation:

Government Meeting Commitment to Reduce Wait Lists for Affordable Housing

Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to rise today to provide an update on the impact that investments by this government are having to reduce the wait lists for housing assistance through the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation.

This government has made significant investments in social housing and home repair programs for homeowners with low and moderate incomes. The benefits of these investments are demonstrated through improvements in the condition of social housing across the province. Today, 70 per cent of social housing owned and maintained by Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation is now considered to be in top condition, up from 30 per cent in 2007.

Since 2009, tenants and applicants are seeing the benefit of our investments firsthand. Investments in social housing through the Provincial Social Housing Plan have resulted in a 30 per cent reduction in the social housing waiting list. By increasing investments through the Provincial Home Repair Program over the last six years, the wait list for assistance through that program has dropped by almost 75 per cent, from 4,300 to 1,300.

Mr. Speaker, this government remains committed to providing safe and affordable housing options to those with low and moderate incomes. As a result, those seeking housing assistance are now able to more quickly receive the support they need.

As Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland Labrador Housing Corporation, I am encouraged by the improvements that we have achieved to date.

2013 03 20                             2:15 p.m.