The Honourable Krista Lynn Howell, Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs, today announced over $2 million for 137 communities throughout the province in Building Age-Friendly Community Grants. These grants will help municipalities upgrade public areas to accommodate the needs of seniors and all individuals as they age.
Municipalities and Inuit Community Governments were eligible for the grants, first announced on February 20, 2023. The grants provide funding at a 90/10 cost share for individual communities on projects up to $20,000, and for regional projects up to $25,000.
To support the high level of interest in the new initiative, funding was increased from an initial $400,000 to just over $2 million.
A list of approved projects is available here.
Building Age-Friendly Community Grants complement the Age-Friendly Newfoundland and Labrador Communities Program provided by the Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development. Support for initiatives to advance age-friendly communities aligns with Health Accord NL and actions to address the social determinants of health, as well as the work of the Cabinet Committee on Seniors.
Quotes
“Communities play a role in the health, safety, well-being and the economic and social security of residents. Helping municipal leaders in their work to build age-friendly communities is an important part of our government’s efforts to support seniors. These grants assist in creating an environment where seniors can age with dignity and respect and can participate fully in their community. It is very encouraging to see the high level of interest from community leaders in taking the necessary actions to build age-friendly communities throughout the province.”
Honourable Krista Lynn Howell
Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs
“As a government, we remain committed to addressing seniors’ issues including helping seniors age well in the right place with dignity. Through the new Building Age-Friendly Community Grants, 137 communities from throughout the province will be able to advance age-friendly infrastructure projects to create a more age-friendly province that benefits everyone.”
Honourable John G. Abbott
Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development
“SeniorsNL is pleased to see such a great uptake of the Building Age-Friendly Community Grants and government’s significant additional contribution to support this initiative. It shows a keen interest and commitment to make communities inclusive and age-friendly for all because everyone wants and deserves to live in a place where they can access and take advantage of everything their community offers.”
Kelly Heisz
Executive Director, SeniorsNL
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Learn more
Age-Friendly Newfoundland and Labrador Communities
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