B.C. PROVIDES FUNDING FOR NARAMATA SENIORS’ HOUSING

NARAMATA – The Province is providing a grant of $125,000 for a new development that will provide housing and support services for Naramata seniors, Rich Coleman, Minister Responsible for Housing, announced today.

Coleman was joined for the announcement by Penticton-Okanagan MLA Bill Barisoff and Naramata Seniors Housing Society’s board president Richard Hall.

“This development will allow seniors to live independently and affordably with access to the services they need,” said Coleman. “Partnerships like this one between government and housing providers allow us to provide affordable housing in more communities across British Columbia.”

The new $1.5-million development will include four supportive seniors’ apartments operated by the Naramata Seniors Housing Society and will be located close to amenities and services. The project will also include support services for residents such as meals, housekeeping, assistance with transportation and access to nursing care, all provided by local contractors and volunteers.

“The Naramata Seniors Housing Society has worked very hard to secure affordable housing for seniors in this community,” said Penticton-Okanagan Valley MLA Bill Barisoff. “Through the Province’s capital grant of $125,000 towards the construction of this housing, we are able to keep the rents affordable for Naramata seniors.”

For the past two years, the Naramata Seniors Housing Society, whose goal is to build and provide quality housing to senior residents in the Naramata area, has been planning to purchase land to construct affordable housing for seniors. The society has decided to proceed with a four-unit development at this time and look at options for a similar building in the future, when secure financing can be arranged.

“There is a need for quality affordable seniors’ housing in Naramata and today’s announcement enables our community to respond to that need,” said Hall. “Naramata is home to many seniors who will soon have more options for living here in appropriate and supportive housing.”

The new seniors’ apartments will also be funded through a capital grant from the Real Estate Foundation, the sale of life leases and through donations of time and resources by society board members and community volunteers. Naramata citizens raised $220,000 in five-year low interest notes to help get the project started.

Today’s announcement reflects the B.C. government’s goal of providing the best system of support in Canada for seniors. The Province’s September Budget Update provided an additional $242 million over three years to improve the lives of seniors, including: renewing the Seniors’ Supplement, to provide a monthly benefit for approximately 40,000 low income seniors; doubling annual funding for the Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER) program; and updating existing seniors’ health facilities and strengthening and modernizing the full range of services for seniors, to help them live as independently as possible.

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Media contact:	Larisa Saunders Communications Specialist BC Housing 604 790-2344	Richard Hall President Naramata Seniors Housing Society 250 496-5526

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