More funding for Affordable Housing
in Newfoundland and Labrador
The federal and provincial governments today announced an additional
$10.62
million to create more affordable housing for Newfoundland and Labrador
residents most in need.
The signing of Phase II of the Canada-Newfoundland and
Labrador Affordable
Housing Agreement was announced by the Honourable R. John Efford,
Regional
Minister for Newfoundland and Labrador, on behalf of the Honourable Joe
Fontana, Minister of Labour and Housing, and the Honourable Paul
Shelley,
provincial Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, and
Minister
responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, and the
Honourable Tom Marshall, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs.
"This agreement strengthens the Government of Canada's
partnership with
the province, and allows us to move forward on our commitment to
provide
more affordable housing in Newfoundland and Labrador," said Minister
Efford.
"This additional federal funding demonstrates our continued commitment
to help provide safe and strong communities throughout Newfoundland and
Labrador."
“Our main objective with the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador
Affordable
Housing Agreement has always been to help low-income Newfoundlanders
and
Labradorians, by building new housing units, and making them
affordable,”
said Minister Shelley. “We are pleased that the second phase of
the
Agreement will continue to focus investments on those who need it
most.”
Under Phase II, funding will be targeted to areas with
considerable
housing needs and low-income households who are eligible for social
housing.
As well, federal assistance for new units will be based on 50 per cent
of capital costs to a maximum of $75,000 per unit.
The federal funding under Phase II must also be matched 50:50
by the
province, however, up to 10 per cent of the provincial contribution may
come from municipalities or others.
Today's announcement brings the total investment under the
Canada —
Newfoundland and Labrador Affordable Housing Program Agreement to
$40.90
million in funding. This investment is being equally shared by the
Government
of Canada, and the province of Newfoundland and Labrador
The federal assistance is part of the $1 billion announcement
under
a 2001 federal-provincial framework, and the 2003 Federal Budget, to
create
affordable housing.
By 2010, close to 700 affordable housing units will be created
or repaired
under Phase I and II of the agreement.
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For further information, please contact:
Jenny Bowring
Manager, Corporate Communications
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing
Corporation
(709) 724-3055
E-mail: releases@nlhc.nf.ca
Dawn Ring
Marketing and Communications Consultant
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
(709) 772-5973
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