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

New Affordable Housing Officially Opens in Burin

The Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador celebrated the official opening of six new two-bedroom affordable housing units for seniors in Burin.

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 dedicated to helping those in need which is why we are proud to have invested in this project in Burin,” said Minister MacKay. “These six units are more than just safe and affordable places to live; they are the key to a better life for the people that will call them home.”

The project owned and operated by W.W. Builders Developers Inc. received $240,000 in funding, an equally cost-shared investment by 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.

“I am pleased to celebrate the opening of these new affordable housing projects in the Burin Peninsula area,” said Minister Davis. “The Provincial Government’s $120,000 investment in this facility demonstrates our commitment to enhance housing options for seniors and persons with disabilities in Newfoundland and Labrador.”

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 . 

“We are very fortunate to once again have the support of the federal and provincial governments to make our new affordable housing project for seniors a reality, said Wayne Wiscombe, President, W.W Builders Developers Inc. “Our past experience working with both levels of government through NLHC’s Affordable Housing Program was a success, and now we see this success repeating itself for the benefit of seniors who need comfortable, secure homes.”

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 some 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-schl.gc.ca . 

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2013 05 29             1:15 p.m.