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| Backgrounder(s) & FactSheet(s): | Backgrounder |
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| Backgrounder(s) & FactSheet(s): | Backgrounder |
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Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation Ministry of Forests and Range and Minister responsible for Housing |
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ASSISTED LIVING FOR SOUTH ASIAN SENIORS OPENS IN
SURREY |
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SURREY – Federal, provincial and community funding partners gathered today to celebrate the opening of the Progressive Intercultural Community Services Society’s (PICS) Guru Nanak Niwas Assisted Living project, a $13.4-million, 72-unit assisted living development designed for South Asian seniors – a first for British Columbia.
“Canada’s New Government is delivering on our commitment to create affordable housing in British Columbia,” said Nina Grewal, Member of Parliament for Fleetwood-Port Kells, on behalf of the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development. “With the opening of this project, seniors will have access to quality, affordable housing and the services they need to meet their specific needs while allowing them to remain close to their families and friends in the community.”
The new units are funded under Independent Living BC (ILBC), an innovative housing-for-health program managed by the Province and Fraser Health in partnership with the Government of Canada through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).
“Today’s opening reflects the provincial government’s commitment to ensure seniors have access to independent, affordable housing,” said Minister responsible for Housing Rich Coleman. “This facility provides seniors with the housing and support services they need, in a cultural setting that truly makes it home.”
Assisted living homes are self-contained apartments where residents receive hospitality and personal care services, such as meals, housekeeping and laundry services, recreational opportunities, assistance with medications, mobility and other care needs, as well as a 24-hour response system. Fraser Health will provide funding for these personal care services.
“Regardless of
culture, seniors do not want to live in an institutional setting with 24-hour
nursing care if they have the option of living independently with some support
and continued involvement with their family and in their community,” said Keith
Anderson, interim president and CEO of Fraser Health. “Seniors whose families
are challenged by circumstance and by cultural expectations around elder care
will find this culturally sensitive development particularly attractive.”
“Surrey is a community
that embraces and embodies many cultures,” said Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts. “To
have an assisted living development that celebrates that diversity is a
wonderful addition to this city and will richly add to the lives of seniors in
our community.”
PICS, a strong
advocate for the multicultural and immigrant community in the Lower Mainland,
is the first South Asian immigrant society to partner with the provincial and
federal government to build an assisted living development.
“PICS is pleased to offer a unique living
environment that takes into account the specific language, culture and food
needs of South Asian seniors,” said Charan Gill, chief executive officer of
PICS. “Guru Nanak Niwas Assisted Living will allow these seniors to maintain
their independence in a supportive environment.”
While the development is designed to accommodate the specific needs of the South Asian population by offering Punjabi, Gujarati, halal and vegetarian meals; staff fluent in Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu, and Fijian Hindi; and homes close to a Sikh temple and other cultural destinations, seniors from all nationalities are offered an inclusive home environment.
The Province of British Columbia, through ILBC, is committed to providing more than 4,000 affordable assisted living apartments for B.C. seniors and persons with disabilities. To date, more than 3,900 have been allocated in communities across the province. The Province’s budget for shelters and affordable housing is $328 million – nearly triple what it was in 2001.
The Government of Canada, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, will contribute more than $130 million by 2010 towards affordable housing in this province. The provincial government will provide a minimum of $34 million annually to subsidize the cost of units built under the Canada-BC Affordable Housing Agreement, as part of a larger strategy to provide a range of housing options for British Columbians in greatest need.
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contact: |
BC Housing 604 439-8583 604 805-4960 (cell)
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CMHC 604 737-4062
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Fraser Health 604 587-4609
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Chief Executive Officer Progressive Intercultural Community Services Society (PICS) 604 596-7722
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. |
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