BACKGROUNDER
2007FOR0041-000413 April 10, 2007	Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation Ministry of Forests and Range and Minister responsible for Housing Fraser Health
GURU NANAK NIWAS ASSISTED LIVING

Guru Nanak Niwas Assisted Living, 12075-75A Avenue in Surrey, provides 72 one-bedroom assisted living apartments. All of the units in the four-storey, wood-frame building are wheelchair accessible.

 

The development will connect to and share services with the existing 54-unit supportive seniors’ housing complex that PICS operates on the same site.

 

Tenants will pay 70 per cent of their after-tax income for their units and receive hospitality and personal care services, such as meals, housekeeping and laundry, recreational programs, assistance with medications, mobility and other care needs, and a 24-hour response system.

 

The complex is near a Sikh temple and within walking distance of shops and other amenities. Guru Nanak Niwas was the founder of the Sikh faith.

 

Partners and Funding

 

The capital cost of this project is $13,385,180, with funding from:

·        The Government of Canada, through CMHC, with a $1.8-million capital grant;

·        The provincial government provided a one-time grant of $10,385,180;

·        $1.1 million in personal care services through Fraser Health; and

·        $1.2 million in land equity provided by the Society.

 

Progressive Intercultural Community Services Society

 

The Progressive Intercultural Community Services Society was formed in 1987 to promote harmony and intercultural understanding and support the building of a more inclusive and respectful society, to ensure equal access to jobs and services, and to work with other agencies and institutions.

 

The Society provides employment services, job mentoring, immigration/settlement services, health education, dental programs, youth programs, volunteer programs, English-language training, drug/alcohol counselling, agricultural workers’ programs, a dance academy, an organic farming institute and training, and seniors’ housing. They also work in collaboration with Kwantlen College to provide courses in masonry, carpentry skills, sheet metal, welding and training in many more trades needed by the business community.

 

The Society is a strong advocate for the multicultural and immigrant community, particularly the South Asian community.

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Media contact:	Laura Kohli BC Housing 604 439-8583 604 805-4960 (cell)	Megan Shaw CMHC 604 737-4062
	Savik Sidhu Fraser Health 604 587-4609	Charan Gill Chief Executive Officer Progressive Intercultural Community Services Society (PICS) 604 596-7722
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