Canadian Mortgage News

January 2005 National News Archive

Summerland Seniors Benefit from New Housing

SUMMERLAND, British Columbia, April 5, 2005 — More seniors are able to live independently with support services with the official opening today of an addition to Angus Place. Thirty-three new apartments have been added to the existing development, bringing the number of independent housing units on the site to 83.

"Partnerships made this addition to Angus Place a reality," said Rick Thorpe, MLA for Okanagan-Westside. "These new apartments will benefit people right here in Summerland, where 25 per cent of the population are seniors."

"Seniors will to be able to live with more independence in their community in this project," said the Honourable David L. Emerson, the Minister of Industry, on behalf of the Honourable Joe Fontana, Minister of Labour and Housing. "Thanks to co-operative efforts between the various levels of government and the local partners in Summerland, this project was made possible."

The new units are self-contained one and two-bedroom apartments. Residents live independently, but receive some support services including one meal a day, weekly housekeeping, laundry services, and recreational and social opportunities. These units offer a more tailored approach in addressing seniors' housing and care needs.

"Seniors are an integral part of our community," said District of Summerland Mayor Tom Johnston. "We believe in providing incentives in order to assist in the development of housing that keeps our seniors healthy and independent."

Angus Place is operated by Parkdale Place Housing Society. The original building's kitchen and dining room have been expanded and new amenity space has been added.

"This addition goes a long way to alleviate the need for affordable, supportive housing in the region," said Gary Hollingshead, president, Parkdale Housing Society. "The new homes are fully occupied and the residents are thriving with the support services now available to them."

This year the provincial government has increased funding for housing programs to almost $172 million, the largest level ever in B.C. The province, through BC Housing, has committed funding for the construction of about 6,900 housing units across B.C. since June 2001. To date, over 4,161 of these units have been completed and over 2,342 are under development. In addition, approximately 800 affordable housing units have been created through the Community Partnership Initiatives, which provides funding to community groups like Parkdale Housing Society in order to increase housing options for British Columbians in need.

Media contacts:

Larisa Saunders
Corporate Communications
BC Housing
(604) 439-4754
Cell: (604) 790-2344

Wayne Cybak
Administrator
Parkdale Place Housing Society
(250) 494-1161
Cell: (250) 490 5135

Ribbon Cutting (left to right):
Wayne Cybak, Administrator, Angus Place; Gordon Clark, Acting Mayor of Summerland; Vicki Geist, resident of Angus Place
Phase 1; Rick Thorpe, MLA -- Okanagan-Westside; Maureen Wright, resident of Angus Place
Phase 2; Kelly Wolfe, CMHC; and Garry Hollingshead, President, Parkdale Place Housing Society.

Exterior of Angus Place

Visit the Province's website at www.gov.bc.ca for online information and services.

Backgrounder

Angus Place

Parkdale Place Housing Society

The society was formed in 1976 to provide housing for seniors. The society operates 136 of 179 units of seniors' housing in Summerland.

Development Facts

Location:

9302 Angus Road

Number of new units:

26 one-bedroom units

7 two-bedroom units

33 total units of seniors' housing with support services

The new units are an addition to Angus Place which previously offered 50 units of seniors' housing. The building's kitchen and dining room were expanded and new amenity space added.

Rents include one daily meal, weekly housekeeping, laundering of linens, recreational activities and 24-hour onsite emergency response. Rents average about $1,320 for a one-bedroom unit and $1,700 for a two-bedroom unit. This is about 15-20 per cent less than the average cost of apartments with support services in the area.

Partnership Contributions

The capital cost of this new addition and expansion of the existing kitchen and dining room is $4.65 million.

• BC Housing provided a $552,179 grant under Community Partnership Initiatives.
• CMHC provided $20,000 in seed funding as well as mortgage insurance for approximately $3.7 million.
• Parkdale Place Housing Society provided the land for the addition, valued at $300,000.
• District of Summerland is providing reduced development cost charges and the cost of applications — equivalent to $320,000. The District is also providing an 80 per cent property tax exemption for 2005, which will be reduced by 20 per cent over the next five years to a zero exemption.

In addition, BC Housing provides an annual rental subsidy of $77,400 for 15 of the 50 supportive seniors' units at Angus Place in Phase 1.

News source: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)