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Related Links: National Archive 2004 Archive January 2004 February 2004 March 2004 April 2004 May 2004 June 2004 July 2004 August 2004 September 2004 October 2004 November 2004 December 2004    |
 
New Assisted Living Units for the NorthBULKLEY VALLEY, British Columbia, November 19, 2004 — Moderate-income seniors are one step closer to additional affordable housing and care services with today's announcement of 22 new Independent Living BC (ILBC) units being developed in two communities in the Bulkley Valley. Five ILBC units will be located in Houston and 17 ILBC units located in Burns Lake. These assisted living units will provide affordable apartments, hospitality services and personal care for low-income seniors and people with disabilities and are part of 59 ILBC units announced today for four northern communities. "Seniors in Houston and Burns Lake will be able to live in a quality environment and continue to contribute to their communities," said the Honourable Joe Fontana, Minster of Labour and Housing. "Living near their families and friends, as part of the community, will ensure a higher quality of life for all concerned and is due in large part to the continuing funding partnership between the various levels of government, as well as our local partners." The province, through BC Housing, is facilitating the ILBC program in partnership with Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), Northern Health, and the private and non-profit sectors. Various housing operators submitted proposals to provide assisted living through ILBC, in response to calls for proposals issued by BC Housing and Northern Health. This announcement involves ILBC unit allocations to non-profit societies within the Northern region. "Today's announcement is excellent news for our Northern communities," said the Honourable Dennis MacKay, MLA for Bulkley Valley-Stikine. "Many seniors are healthy, active and independent, and while they may need some assistance with daily living, the vast majority do not want or need 24-hour professional nursing care. Assisted living is a great option for these seniors, and we are working hard to make assisted living more accessible and affordable throughout the province." ILBC encompasses two types of housing: independent housing with some support and assisted living for those who require a greater level of care. Typically, these units are self-contained apartments in developments where tenants receive personal care and hospitality services, such as meals, housekeeping, laundry services, recreational opportunities and a 24-hour response system. As a middle option between home care and residential care, assisted living offers a more tailored approach in addressing individuals' housing and personal care needs. "We are improving the way we have cared for seniors over the years by providing more options, to promote choice and independence, such as assisted living," said, Harry Gairns, Northern Health Board Chair. "Up until now, seniors requiring assistance had few options — care at home or living in a facility and many seniors had to leave the communities they called home. Northern Health is committed to bringing choice to seniors where they live." This announcement brings the total number of ILBC units allocated in the Northern Health to 65, with developments in Quesnel, Houston, Burns Lake, Kitimat and Pouce Coupe. ILBC will create a total of 3,500 independent apartments with support services across the province by 2006. The ILBC units announced today will bring the total allocation to over 2,430 assisted living units across the province — almost 70 per cent of the target. The remainder, are expected to be allocated over the coming months. ILBC is funded in part through the Canada-British Columbia Affordable Housing Program Agreement. The government of Canada, through CMHC, will contribute $88.7 million towards affordable housing in this province. The provincial government, through BC Housing, will provide $29.7 million annually to subsidize the costs of units built under this agreement, as part of a larger strategy to provide a range of housing options for vulnerable British Columbians. For more information about ILBC, visit www.bchousing.org Contact: BackgrounderNew Assisted Living Units for the North A total of 59 assisted living units were announced today in four developments throughout BC's Northern Region. All of these assisted living units will be managed by non-profit societies. ILBC will create a total of 3,500 independent apartments with support services across the province by 2006. The ILBC units announced today will bring the total allocation to over 2,430 assisted living units across the province - almost 70 per cent of the target. The remainder are expected to be allocated over the coming months.
News source: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)
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