ST. JOHN’S, NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR —Over $1.4 million in funding was announced today to construct the Tommy Sexton Centre, which will provide emergency sheltering services, transitional and supportive housing, and related supports to people living with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) in Newfoundland and Labrador . The funding is being made available to the sponsors of the Tommy Sexton Centre, the AIDS Committee of Newfoundland and Labrador , through the Government of Canada’s National Homelessness Initiative ($832,500). Additional funding is being provided through the collaborative efforts of Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC) under the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Affordable Housing Agreement ($450,000) and additional provincial funding of $144,000 from NLHC .
In addition, yearly operating funding will be provided to the Centre through the provincial departments of Health and Community Services ($109,000) and Human Resources, Labour and Employment ($70,000). In-kind contributions were also provided to the project by the City of St. John’s and by the provincial department of Transportation and Works, who donated the land for the project.
The announcement was made today by the Honourable Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development. Also making the announcement were the Honourable Paul Shelley, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment and Minister responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation; the Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Health and Community Services; the Honourable Trevor Taylor, Minister of Transportation and Works; and Mr. Bill Downer , Executive Director of the AIDS Committee of Newfoundland and Labrador. His Worship Andy Wells, Mayor of St. John’s , shared in the announcement on behalf of the city. Mrs. Sara Sexton, mother of the late comedian Tommy Sexton, after whom the centre is named, along with Mr. Phil Lundrigan, an individual living with HIV/AIDS and long-time community activist, also welcomed the announcement today.
“It is very satisfying to see partners come together for worthwhile projects like the Tommy Sexton Centre,” said Minister Hearn. “ Canada ’s new government is proud to invest in programs and services that directly help people, especially those who seek shelter and support as a result of very challenging circumstances. I certainly am pleased to share in this announcement today and, on behalf of my colleague, Diane Finley, I wish the AIDS Committee of Newfoundland and Labrador well in its important work.”
Sara Sexton, whose son Tommy died of AIDS, said, “I am so pleased to see the Tommy Sexton Centre becoming a reality, and I know Tommy would be very proud and honoured to have his name attached to this new centre. It’s a beautiful setting and on behalf of my family, I want to thank everyone who played a role in this wonderful project.”
Minister Shelley said, “We will be able to better assist people in need as a result of this new facility, which I understand is a unique concept in Atlantic Canada. I know it will be an invaluable service for everyone concerned.”
“I want to thank everyone associated with this exciting project. It’s a real example of partnerships that work, and I am pleased that my department is able to play a role in making this centre a reality,” said Minister Osborne.
“Our department is quite pleased to be able to contribute to this project, which will provide much-needed support for those in this province living with HIV/AIDS,” said Minister Taylor.
“This project is a very important one for our city and province. It’s another example of people meeting a need in the community. I commend everyone associated with this undertaking,” said Mayor Wells.
“This is an important day for the AIDS Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador . The Tommy Sexton Centre, when completed, will provide a shelter facility with appropriate supports to people living with HIV/AIDS in Newfoundland and Labrador . It’s a real need that will now be addressed,” said Bill Downer .
Phil Lundrigan said, “On behalf of people living with HIV/AIDS across the province, I would like to congratulate the AIDS Committee of Newfoundland and Labrador on the successful and important development of the Tommy Sexton Centre. Safe and affordable housing can have such a huge impact on an individual’s health. This project will provide much needed and important housing services to an under-served population.”
The funding from the National Homelessness Initiative’s Regional Homelessness Fund (RHF) and Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative (SCPI), and CMHC and NLHC in partnership with the province, is specifically being used to develop four self-contained shelter units, and six self-contained accessible and furnished supportive housing units. The centre will be owned and operated by the AIDS Committee of Newfoundland and Labrador , with operating support from the provincial government departments of Human Resources, Labour and Employment and Health and Community Services.
The AIDS Committee of Newfoundland and Labrador is a consumer-focused, non-profit organization that provides supportive programs and services aimed at preventing HIV/AIDS and supporting persons living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. The Committee works on a collaborative basis with partners, interested groups and stakeholders to achieve its goals. The Tommy Sexton Centre is named after actor and musician Tommy Sexton, who advocated for those living with HIV/AIDS and who succumbed to his illness on December 13, 1993 .
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For more information, contact:
Lorne Lambert
Regional Manager, Communications
Service Canada
Tel: (709) 772-5346
Tansy Mundon
Health and Community Services
Tel: (709) 729-1377
Jenny Bowring
NLHC
Tel: (709) 724-3055
Bill Downer
The AIDS Committee of Newfoundland and Labrador
Tel: (709) 579-8656
Dawn Ring
CMHC
Tel: (709) 772-5973
