NEW ASSISTED LIVING UNITS FOR POWELL RIVER

POWELL RIVER – Construction of Kiwanis Garden Manor, a new $8-million housing development, began today with an official groundbreaking ceremony. The project, funded in part under the Canada-British Columbia Affordable Housing Agreement, will provide 40 assisted-living units for seniors in Powell River.

“This investment will provide seniors with the opportunity to live in a quality environment and continue to contribute to their communities,” the Honourable David L. Emerson, Minister of Industry, on behalf of the Honourable Joe Fontana, Minister of Labour and Housing. “This funding partnership enables seniors to continue to live in their community, near their families and friends, and ensures that they enjoy a high quality of life.”

Kiwanis Garden Manor is one of many new assisted-living homes developed under the Independent Living BC (ILBC) program, providing a middle option for seniors who can no longer live independently, but who do not want or need 24-hour residential care. These 40 new assisted-living homes in Powell River will provide affordable alternatives for low-to-moderate income seniors.

“Assisted living is in demand by seniors who want to maintain their independence but need some support with daily activities,” said West Vancouver-Garibaldi MLA Joan McIntyre. “Through partnerships like Kiwanis Garden Manor, we are offering seniors more choice to remain in their own communities as their care needs increase.”

“This is a splendid project by the Kiwanis, and a great forward addition to Powell River – the Pearl on the Sunshine Coast. We thank them all for the enormous effort they put forth for our community,” said Powell River Mayor Stewart Alsgard.

Vancouver Coastal Health will provide ongoing funding for the personal care services and part of the hospitality services to ensure that tenants have access to the health-care services that they need to remain independent. In addition to their own private units, assisted-living residents will receive hospitality and personal care services, such as meals, housekeeping and laundry services, recreational opportunities, assistance with medications, and other care needs, including a 24-hour response system.

“The goal of assisted living is to promote greater independence, prevent isolation, and enhance socialization for a safe and more enjoyable lifestyle,” said Brenda Langevin, director of Acute Home and Community Care for Powell River and the Sunshine Coast at Vancouver Coastal Health. “Giving seniors the choice to stay in their home communities is essential to maintaining their health.”

Kiwanis Garden Manor will be owned and operated by the Powell River Kiwanis Housing Society. The Kiwanis Club, through the Powell River Village Society already manages Kiwanis Village, a 42-unit subsidized independent seniors’ housing development that will be linked with the new assisted-living building. Under the local Kiwanis Club, the housing society has strong links with the community and is actively involved in ongoing fundraising to secure more services for the new residents of the assisted-living development.

“We see Kiwanis Garden Manor as a natural extension of the work that we do providing affordable housing to seniors in our own community,” said Kiwanis Housing Society president Bob Irving. “Assisted living will be the answer for many of our Powell River seniors and we are pleased to be part of the solution.”

The Province of British Columbia, through BC Housing and Independent Living BC, is committed to providing 3,500 affordable assisted living apartments across the province. To date over 3,000 ILBC units, or 87 percent, have been allocated in communities across the province.


The Government of Canada, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, will contribute $130 million by 2008 towards affordable housing in this province. The provincial government, through BC Housing, will provide a minimum of $34 million annually to subsidize the cost of units built under the Canada-British Columbia Affordable Housing Agreement, as part of its strategy to provide a range of housing options for British Columbians in greatest need. 

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BACKGROUNDER
POWELL RIVER KIWANIS HOUSING SOCIETY

The Kiwanis Club of Powell River was organized in 1960 serve the Powell River community. At that time, the Powell River community was made up largely of young families, and the services of the Powell River Kiwanis Club reflected that demographic. However, as time progressed, the Kiwanis Club noticed that there was a need for seniors’ housing and, in 1975, incorporated the Kiwanis Village Society, which opened the Kiwanis Village in 1978 with 42 units of independent seniors’ housing.

The Kiwanis Club incorporated the Powell River Kiwanis Housing Society to develop the next necessary service for Powell River – 40 assisted-living units.

The Kiwanis Garden Manor is a three-storey development with 40 one-bedroom suites. There will be an elevated covered walkway from the second story of the neighbouring 42-unit subsidized independent seniors’ building, operated by the Kiwanis Village Society. This walkway provides a direct link to the dining pavilion at the ground level of the new building, allowing seniors in the existing building to benefit from the kitchen.

The name Kiwanis Garden Manor came from the beautiful gardens planned as part of the landscaping.

Tenants will pay 70 per cent of their after-tax income for their units. They will 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.


Construction is expected to be completed by August 2006.

Capital cost of this project is $8 million.

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Naomi Brunemeyer
Corporate Communications
BC Housing
604-439-4758
604-209-0013 (cell)

Tracy Wells
Communications and Marketing
CMHC
604-737-4162

Bob Irving
President
Powell River Kiwanis Housing Society
604-485-5210

Viviana Zanocco
Senior Issues Management Officer
Vancouver Coastal Health
604-708-5282