New Assisted Living Homes Open for Seniors in Richmond

RICHMOND, British Columbia, September 21, 2007 — Federal, provincial and community partners, including the S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Multi-Level Care Society, celebrated the opening today of a new $15.5-million facility with 50 assisted living units.

“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 MP Nina Grewal, Member of Parliament for Fleetwood – Port Kells, on behalf of the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development. "Seniors in Richmond now have more access to quality, affordable housing to meet their specific needs.”

The new S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Austin Harris Residence provides affordable housing and care for seniors who wish to maintain their independence, but require some support services. The units are funded under Independent Living BC, a partnership between the federal and provincial governments, local health authorities, non-profit groups and the private sector.

“We want to give seniors the option of living independently as their needs change, with dignity and easy access to the care they need,” said John Yap, MLA for Richmond – Steveston. “That means providing affordable housing and assisted living developments like the new Austin Harris Residence.”

Residents receive personal care and hospitality services, including assistance with medications, meals, housekeeping, laundry service and recreational opportunities. The residence is managed by the S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Multi-Level Care Society, with Vancouver Coastal Health providing funding for support services.

“As the bridge between home care and residential care, assisted living allows us to tailor programs to each client, addressing their individual housing, social and personal care needs,” said Carole Gillam, Director, Community Care Network, Vancouver Coastal Health.

“Our mission is to provide quality care that respects the unique traditional and cultural values of our residents and to create a comfortable home,” said Ken Tung, Chairman of S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Multi-Level Care Society. “Our new Residence will provide a wonderful home for seniors for years to come.”

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

Canada’s New Government, 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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Backgrounder

Austin Harris Assisted Living Residence

The Austin Harris Residence, 5411 Moncton Street in Richmond, provides 50 one-bedroom assisted living units. The development opened to residents in June 2007.

The assisted living units are funded under the Independent Living BC program. Tenants pay 70 per cent of their after-tax income for their units and receive hospitality and personal care services, such as meals, housekeeping and laundry, recreational programs, assistance with medications, and other care needs, and a 24-hour response system.

The Residence is built on the former Austin Harris School grounds. Austin Harris was a prominent figure in Richmond — District Game Warden, Chief of Police and Superintendent of the Water Works, until his death in 1953.

Partners and Funding

The capital cost of this project is approximately $15 million.

• Through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, the federal government provided a one-time grant in the amount of $1.25 million.
• The Province provided a one-time grant of $1.55 million.
• Vancouver Coastal Health has transferred the land title to the Provincial Rental Housing Corporation, which has entered into a 60-year ground lease with S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Multi-Level Care Society valued at $3.48 million.
• S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Multi-Level Care Society contributed $1 million to the development.
• 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 a housing subsidy of up to $6.6 million over 35 years.
• Vancouver Coastal Health will subsidize the hospitality and personal care services for the 50 assisted living units for $1.116 million per year.

S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Multi-Level Care Society

S.U.C.C.E.S.S. stands for "United Chinese Community Enrichment Services Society" with an S in front to make it "S.U.C.C.E.S.S." The S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Multi-Level Care Society was founded by S.U.C.C.E.S.S. in 1995 as a sister organization to provide health services. It currently manages a seniors’ care home, an adult day centre, and an assisted living residence in Vancouver. S.U.C.C.E.S.S., which is a non-profit charitable organization founded in 1973, is now one of the largest immigrant and social service agencies in British Columbia. Its mandate is to promote the well-being of Canadians and immigrants, and to encourage their involvement in the community through the provision of social, educational and health services, business and community development, and advocacy.