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| Backgrounder(s) & FactSheet(s): | Backgrounder |
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| Backgrounder(s) & FactSheet(s): | Backgrounder |
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Ministry of Forests and Range and Minister responsible for Housing |
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MORE HOUSING OPTIONS CREATED FOR VERNON SENIORS |
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VERNON – Federal, provincial, and
community partners gathered today to celebrate a new $9.4-million assisted
living development, as part of a campus of care for Vernon seniors.
“The Government of
Canada is committed to making affordable housing more available in British
Columbia and across Canada for those who need it most,” said Colin Mayes,
Member of Parliament for Okanagan-Shuswap, on behalf of the Honourable Monte
Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development. “Seniors in Vernon
will now have access to quality, affordable housing and the services that meet
their specific needs, while remaining close to their families and friends in
the community.”
Good Samaritan Heron Grove is a campus of care that provides assisted living apartments, life lease housing and a specialized cottage care model for persons requiring complex care. There are 38 assisted living suites that are funded through the Independent Living BC program and 75 residential care beds with operating funds provided by the Ministry of Health through Interior Health.
“These units provide more Vernon seniors with quality affordable housing that allows them live as independently as they are able, and to age in place,” said Tom Christensen, MLA for Okanagan-Vernon. “One advantage of a campus of care is that if housing needs change, residents can continue to live at Heron Grove, in the comfort of familiar surroundings.”
Assisted living units are self-contained apartments where residents receive hospitality and personal care services, such as meals, housekeeping and laundry, recreational opportunities, assistance with medications, mobility and other care needs, as well as a 24-hour response system. The apartments provide a middle option between living at home with support and residential care.
“We are improving the way in which we traditionally provide care to our seniors by offering more options to promote choice and independence,” said Alan Dolman, Interior Health board chair. “This new campus will allow seniors to age in place.”
“Vernon has a high population of
seniors that call this area their home,” said City of Vernon Mayor Wayne
Lippert. “Good Samaritan Heron Grove addresses a key need for affordable,
appropriate levels of care and housing in our community.”
“Good Samaritan Canada is proud to partner with
the Province and Interior Health to offer this unique and exciting campus of
care designed to support seniors in a warm and hospitable environment,” said
Phil Gaudet, president and CEO of Good Samaritan Canada. “The opportunity to
develop this multi-level campus of care for seniors in Vernon is a responsibility
we take seriously and we are honoured that the community has entrusted us with
helping seniors to live in their own community as independently as possible.”
These new units are part of the British Columbia
government’s commitment to provide 5,000 net-new residential care beds,
assisted living units, and supportive housing with home support units by the
end of 2008. To date, 8,839 new and
replacement beds and units have been built, including 3,411 net-new.
The Province of British Columbia 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 nearly $360 million – more than 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 provides 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: |
Renee Schisler BC Housing 604 439-4757 |
Shelley Nicholl Interior Health 250 862-9823 250 864-5567 (cell) |
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Sandy Scott CMHC 604 737-4032 |
Joanne Dusterbeck Vice-President of Communications Good Samaritan Canada 780 431-3706 |
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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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