The Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador today announced that $3.4 million in renovation and retrofit work on 244 Newfoundland Labrador Housing units, including co-operatives and non-profit housing properties in the western region, is making a significant difference to these homes.

The funding was made available through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, which is a federal plan to stimulate the economy and create jobs during the global recession. Overall, the Economic Action Plan includes $2 billion for new and existing social housing, plus up to $2 billion in loans to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure. The federal and provincial governments are contributing equally to this overall investment of $58 million under the amended Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Affordable Housing Program Agreement.

The Government of Canada wants to improve the quality of existing social housing for low-income seniors, single-parent families, recent immigrants and Aboriginal households. Canada’s Economic Action Plan provides $850 million under the Affordable Housing Initiative to provinces and territories for the renovation and retrofit of existing social housing.

The funding is being used for items such as the replacement of roofing, siding, windows and doors, and a complete retrofit of the interiors, which can include the replacement of flooring, drywall, doors, kitchen and bathroom cupboards, flooring, counters and fixtures such as tubs, sinks and showers. The investment will significantly extend the life of these structures for future use.

As part of Budget 2010: The Right Investments – For Our Children and Our Future, the Provincial Government is investing $27million for housing infrastructure projects, affordable housing and increased maintenance funding over the coming fiscal year. This renovation and retrofit work is also in keeping with the goals of the Provincial Government’s Social Housing Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador – Secure Foundations, which outlines a new long-term vision for social housing aimed at improving the housing circumstances of lower-income households and helping to create healthier communities. A copy of the social housing plan is available at www.nlhc.nl.ca/SocialHsingPlan/report.pdf.

The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC); and the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Transportation and Works and Minister Responsible for Newfoundland Labrador Housing, made the announcement today.

"Through Phase 2 of Canada's Economic Action Plan, our government is giving a hand-up to those who need it most here in Newfoundland and Labrador. That’s why we’re proud to invest in the renovation and retrofit of these 244 units," said Minister MacKay. "These projects are a good way to get the local economy moving, because they put construction workers and tradespeople to work quickly, while also providing safe, affordable homes for years to come."

"This announcement is a good example of the comprehensive approach that our government is taking to ensure the existing social housing portfolio lasts well into the future," said Minister Hedderson. "The Williams Government has invested unprecedented amounts into social housing infrastructure. Such measures will contribute significantly to our goal of attaining the lowest poverty rate in the country."

Canada’s Economic Action Plan builds on the Government of Canada’s commitment in 2008 of more than $1.9 billion, over five years, to improve and build new affordable housing and help the homeless.

More information on this and other measures in Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the federal government’s plan to stimulate the economy and protect those hit hardest by the global recession, can be found at: www.actionplan.gc.ca.

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.ca/housingactionplan.

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CBH = Community Based Housing
NLH = NL Housing (Public)