The housing arm of the provincial government Newfoundland Labrador Housing Corporation was established in 1967 and reports to the Minister Responsible for Housing. Its mandate is “to develop and administer housing assistance policy and programs for the benefit of low to moderate income households throughout the province.” In 2013-2014, 15,046 households received direct assistance through the various social housing programs, including public affordable rental housing, rent supplements, subsidized mortgages, residential energy efficiency program etc. NLHC directly owns and operates 5,588 residential rental properties throughout the province. It is in these units that the Train for Trades program primarily operates. (NLHC 2013-2014 Annual Report).

NLHC has two programs that Train for Trades works under. One is the Modernization and Improvement (M&I) program, which works to upgrade the condition of social housing stock. The second program involves basement retrofits, which are part of the Heat Subsidy Program (discussed in the section on Energy Poverty).

“It’s the right thing to do. You’re helping your tenants, you’re helping your organization in the long run because you may be reducing your renovations and repairs. And preventing mould and these sorts of things. You’re also helping the kids that are most vulnerable and at risk. If we can get them on the right path, then it’s all worth it in the end. It’s the right thing to do for any community in my mind.” —Dennis Kendell – Regional Operations Executive Director, Newfoundland Labrador Housing Corporation.