New Assisted Living Units Open for Fort St. John Seniors

FORT ST. JOHN, British Columbia, September 14, 2007 — The official opening of Heritage Manor II, a new $6.2 million, 24-unit assisted living development, was celebrated today by all three levels of government in Fort St. John.

“Canada's New Government is committed to providing real housing solutions for seniors, so that they can continue to live in their communities and be close to family and friends,” said Jay Hill, Member of Parliament for Prince George – Peace River, on behalf of the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development. "Seniors in Fort St. John now have more access to quality, affordable housing to meet their specific needs”

“Heritage Manor II allows seniors in the north to stay in the area they call home,” said Richard Neufeld, MLA Peace River North. “The building of these new apartments has created more homes, higher levels of support and greater options for seniors in Fort St. John.”

Assisted living units are self-contained apartments where residents can receive hospitality and personal care services, such as meals, housekeeping and laundry service. Recreational opportunities, assistance with medications, and other care needs are also available, as is a 24-hour response system.

“Assisted living offers a middle option between home care and the residential care services at the North Peace Care Centre,” said Dale Bumstead on behalf of the Northern Health Board. “Northern Health is working closely with partner agencies to add new assisted living units across Northern British Columbia to better support seniors in our region.”

“The City of Fort St. John is proud to have partnered with the federal government, provincial government and Northern Health to deliver this much needed assisted living complex,” said City of Fort St. John Mayor Jim Eglinski. “Our province has committed to a program to build affordable assisted living apartments across British Columbia; the City of Fort St. John commits to work with senior government to help provide the residents of the Peace Region with affordable assisted living units in our city."

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 beds.

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 $328 million — nearly triple what it was in 2001.

The Government of Canada, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, will contribute $130 million by 2010 towards affordable housing in B.C. The provincial government provides a minimum of $34 million annually to subsidize the cost of units built under the Canada – British Columbia Affordable Housing Agreement, as part of a larger strategy to provide a range of housing options for British Columbians in greatest need. 

Contact:

See related speech

Backgrounder

Heritage Manor II

Heritage Manor II, at 9824 106^th Avenue in Fort St. John provides 24 units of assisted living. Construction was completed in March and residents moved into the development in June 2007. Residents pay 70 per cent of their after-tax income for their units and services.

The building is a three-storey, wood frame structure with full wheel-chair accessibility. It is attached to an existing, independent seniors’ housing development called Heritage Manor by an enclosed walkway.

Partners and Funding

Capital cost of this project is $6,272,206.

• The federal government, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, provided a $305,000 capital grant.
• The provincial government provided a one-time $215,000 grant.
• The City of Fort St. John provided the land, valued at $80,000, for $1.
• The remainder of the funding is provided in the form of a mortgage through the province’s operating agreement

Operating costs for the project will be provided as follows:

• The province will provide annual housing and hospitality subsidies of $4.75 million over 35 years.
• Northern Health will provide funding for the personal care services for residents.