Nov 26 2012
The Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador and the Robert's Arm Interfaith Seniors Manor celebrated the official opening of four new two-bedroom supportive living units today. The non-profit seniors' home which has been operating in Robert's Arm, Notre Dame Bay for 25 years, has expanded for the second time to help individuals who require support to live independently in the community.
The latest expansion, which created four new two-bedroom units, was funded through an equally cost-shared $500,000 investment from the federal and provincial governments through the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Agreement for Investment in Affordable Housing 2011-2014. The funding is administered through Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC).
"With investments in housing projects like these ones, our Government is contributing to the economic growth of Newfoundland and Labrador and creating jobs," said the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). "At the same time, we are ensuring that families and seniors living on low income and people with special needs can benefit from affordable and supportive housing."
"This project is another success story that is moving the Provincial Government closer to achieving its long-term goal under the Provincial Social Housing Plan of providing quality affordable homes for those in need throughout our province," said the Honourable Paul Davis, Minister of Transportation and Works and Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation. "Having this facility enables people to get the support they need while remaining in their own community and maintain the support of family and friends."
The Robert's Arm Seniors Interfaith Manor previously received $1.3 million through Canada's Economic Action Plan, which was also equally cost-shared by the federal and provincial governments, enabling them to add ten seniors' units to their facility in 2010. Together with today's announcement of another supportive living expansion, the Manor's total capacity is now 35 units.
"We are delighted with the great support we have received from the federal and provincial governments to make this dream a reality," said Lloyd Colbourne, Chair of Board of Directors of the Robert's Arm Interfaith Senior Citizens Home Inc. "We recognize the need in our area for supportive and affordable living accommodations where people with complex needs and senior citizens can live safely and comfortably in the community."
A key objective for the provincial government is to stimulate the development of affordable rental housing by the private, public and non-profit sectors. A 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. It is aimed at improving the housing circumstances of people with low incomes and helping create healthier communities. A copy of the social housing plan is available at www.nlhc.nl.ca/SocialHsingPlan/report.pdf.
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 almost 605,000 households living in existing social housing. In Newfoundland and Labrador, this represents some 12,250 households. These investments are improving the quality of life for Canadians with low incomes 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.