Ellen Remmel, Kay South and Vera Wells all made life-changing decisions in 2003. That was the year that all three women moved out of their own homes and into apartments at The Terraces on 7th Avenue, a retirement residence operated by Retirement Life Communities (Vancouver) Inc. All three women made the move with trepidation and all three have come to love their new home.

Ellen, Kay and Vera have something else in common. Their suites are made affordable through rent supplements under BC Housing’s Independent Living BC (ILBC) program in private market developments such as The Terraces. ILBC tenants here pay 70 per cent of their after-tax income for their suites. In return, they receive meals, laundry service, light housekeeping, an entertainment package and 24-hour response.

Ellen retains close ties with her church and Vancouver’s Estonian community. In celebration of her 95th birthday, she hosted cocktails in her apartment followed by dinner for 25 in The Terraces’ dining room. “Everyone here has made my life so nice,” she said. “I’m already planning my next party.”

Living at The Terraces means “everything” to Kay. “I don’t know what I would have done without this place,” said the 88-year-old. “I think I’m dreaming sometimes. My only income is my old-age pension and my Canada pension so the rent supplement really helps. I couldn’t live on my own anymore, so being here takes all my worries away.”

“Having a middle option between independent living and long-term care makes sense for people like me,” agreed 76-year-old Vera. “My doctors told me I couldn’t live alone anymore and the rent supplement makes this place affordable to people like me. Here I can be alone when I want to and spend time with others when I feel like it. I’ve always been pretty self-sufficient but I’m also enjoying the friendships I’ve made here. We offer each other support and being with others keeps us alert and interested.”