Feb 27 2013
The Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador today celebrated the official opening of eight new affordable housing units for seniors and persons with disabilities in Springdale.
The expansion of Vista Place is the result of a $240,000 equally cost-shared investment by the federal and provincial governments through the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Agreement for Investment in Affordable Housing 2011-2014.
"Our Government is proud to have contributed $120,000 in funding for this important project," said the Honourable Peter Penashue, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Regional Minister for Newfoundland and Labrador and MP for 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). "These new units will provide quality, affordable housing for independent seniors and persons with disabilities, and benefit the economic and social well-being of the entire community."
"The government of Newfoundland and Labrador recognizes the importance of building partnerships with the private and non-profit sector to develop more affordable housing options for people of low income," said the Honourable Paul Davis, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation. "Vista Place is offering comfortable and affordable homes for seniors, and for those who are most in need, and our government is pleased to contribute to this approach to community housing in Springdale."
"My business partner, Clifford Roberts, and I are very grateful to both the federal and provincial governments, which have provided the opportunity for Vista Place to grow," said Dave Edison, President of Vista Place (2005) Ltd. "With this investment we can continue to meet the housing needs of seniors and persons with disabilities in Springdale and surrounding area.".
The federal and provincial governments contributed to the construction of six units while Vista Place (2005) Ltd. funded an additional two units on its own.
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.
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 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.