Seniors, Wellness and Social Development
April 24, 2015

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

Building Stronger Communities

Minister Announces Three-Year Revitalization Plan for Social Housing in Labrador City

Work is expected to begin in early May on a $1.2 million upgrade to Cavendish Crescent area social housing in Labrador City. This is phase one of an extensive three-year revitalization and renewal plan scheduled for the neighbourhood. Details of the plan were unveiled today by the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC), and Nick McGrath, MHA for Labrador West.

Cavendish Crescent is one of several multi-year redevelopment projects undertaken by NLHC, which includes a number of older, high-density neighbourhoods throughout the province such as Froude Avenue and Cashin Avenue in St. John’s, and Crestview in Corner Brook.

“Since 2007, Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation has been making noticeable progress in modernizing and improving our existing social housing properties throughout the province. This current three-year plan will enable us to upgrade 56 more homes for our tenants and help revitalize another neighbourhood.”
- The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation

Complete exterior building renovations will be undertaken and include siding, window, door and roofing replacements, as well as some interior work, such as inter-connected smoke alarms, and the installation of heat recovery ventilation systems in all the units. This work will result in energy efficiencies as well as fire and life safety improvements. Contracts for phase two and three of the revitalization plan will be awarded in fiscal years 2015-16 and 2016-17.

“These renovations will ensure the long-term availability of affordable social housing homes for low-income families and individuals, and will bring immediate benefits to the tenants.”
- The Honourable Keith Russell, Minister of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs

The contract for phase one was awarded to Goose Bay Painters Ltd. and the work is expected to be completed by November 2015.

“I am very pleased with the announcement of the investment to make improvements to the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing units in Labrador West. Our government recognizes the importance of a safe and healthy environment for the people of the province, and the current $1.2 million investment for improvements to the housing units in Labrador West is another example of government’s commitment to providing this safe and healthy environment”
- Nick McGrath, MHA for Labrador West

Since 2007, 77 per cent of NLHC’s rental units have received modernization and improvements that will extend the life of the properties. Newfoundland Labrador Housing Corporation owns and maintains 250 social housing residences throughout the Labrador region. These houses can accommodate approximately 625 people, and are located in Labrador City, Happy Valley-Goose Bay and coastal Labrador.

QUICK FACTS

• Work is expected to begin in early May on a $1.2 million upgrade to Cavendish Crescent area social housing in Labrador City.
• This is phase one of an extensive three-year revitalization and renewal plan scheduled for the neighbourhood.
• Since 2007, 77 per cent of NLHC’s rental units have received modernization and improvements that will extend the life of the properties.
• NLHC is the province’s largest landlord, with 5,584 affordable rental units province-wide.

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2015 04 24                             3:15 p.m.