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BURNABY – The first assisted living development for young adults with disabilities in the Fraser Health Region has opened in Burnaby, providing 20 units of housing and support services.
“Liberty Place offers young adults an independent and affordable lifestyle in a community of neighbours of a similar age,” said John Nuraney, MLA for Burnaby-Willingdon. “Tenants receive assistance in meeting their individual needs while still enjoying the independence of apartment-style living.”
Liberty Place is funded under the Independent Living BC program, which provides a middle option between home support and residential care for seniors and people with disabilities. Liberty Place is the first of two projects that will provide young adults with assisted living services in the Fraser Health region.
Tenants will be provided with personal care, hot meals, housekeeping, laundry services, recreational opportunities and a 24-hour emergency response system. Fraser Health will provide funding for hospitality and personal care services.
“Assisted living offers a more tailored approach
to addressing the housing and personal care needs of young adults with
disabilities,” said Nigel Murray, president and CEO of Fraser Health. “By
providing a range of housing and care options in the Fraser Health area, we can
better respond to the changing care needs of those who live in our
communities.”
Liberty Place will be operated and managed by the Howe Sound Rehabilitation Services Society, a non-profit society committed to empowering people with disabilities to live with dignity through self-determination and freedom of choice within a safe and secure environment.
“We are proud to be partnering with the Province to provide increased accessibility to affordable housing that will meet the unique care needs of young people with disabilities in our community,” said Mike Hopton, executive director for the Howe Sound Rehabilitation Services Society.
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 seniors’ supportive housing with home support units by the end of 2008. As of December 2007, 9,599 new and replacement beds and units have opened, including 4,053 net-new beds/units. In addition, there are 2,401 beds/units under construction.
The Province has exceeded its commitment in
providing more than 4,000 affordable assisted living apartments for B.C.
seniors and persons with disabilities. Budget 2008 increased the amount the
Province invests in affordable housing and shelters to more than $380
million a year, more than three times as much as in 2001.
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Media Contact |
Rhonda Nguyen BC Housing Communications Specialist 604 439-4740 604 374-8301 |
Elsa Dutton Howe Sound Rehabilitation Services Society Communications & Project Manager 604 936-9944, Extension 224 |
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Michael Bernard Fraser Health 604 587-4611 604 614-5215 (cell) |
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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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