| September 25, 2009 Kiwanis Villa Opens to Benefit Nanaimo Seniors NANAIMO – More seniors in Nanaimo will have access to affordable housing thanks to 31 new units of housing with support services that officially opened today, announced Ron Cantelon, MLA for Parksville-Qualicum. “The Province is partnering with non-profit societies like the Nanaimo District Senior Citizens’ Housing Development Society to provide more housing options that better meet the unique needs of seniors,” said Cantelon. “By providing a mortgage of $5.7 million, we’re ensuring that seniors have a supportive community to call home for years to come.” (TBC) Kiwanis Villa is a three-storey wood frame development located at 1237 Kiwanis Crescent, and is part of a campus of care that includes 82 assisted living units, 75 complex care beds, 30 self-contained seniors apartments, plus a restaurant on site that serves meals to residents and the public. This new building includes a large activity/lounge area, scooter storage, large entry lobby, sun roof deck and a laundry on each floor. The Nanaimo District Senior Citizens’ Housing Development Society is the non-profit operator of the development and also provided the land valued at $250,000. Kiwanis Villa is a great example of a campus of care model; the current housing project is the last phase in this senior’s development. The Province and the Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA) are currently providing ongoing operational funding for 187 units within the campus of care. “We are very pleased the provincial government has arranged mortgage financing so that we could complete this campus of care facility,” said Mats Bergman, project manager, Nanaimo District Senior Citizens’ Housing Development Society. “The needs and expectations of an increasing seniors’ population were fully considered in developing this affordable housing.” The Nanaimo District Senior Citizens’ Housing Development Society was incorporated in 1955. The society’s original mandate was to offer low-cost housing for seniors. Now, in addition to this campus of care, they have increased their level of housing and care options for the Nanaimo seniors` community with the opening of a 30-suite subsidized building for low-income seniors, 75-bed complex care facility, 45-suite assisted living building, 45-suite supportive/assisted living building and the new 31-suite supportive living building. Community Partnership Initiatives (CPI) was created by the Province to implement innovative strategies that create more affordable housing for people in need. CPI provides mortgage financing for unique housing solutions, without the need for ongoing operating subsidies. In 2009/10, the Province's budget for affordable housing and shelters is approximately $450 million, more than three times as much as in 2001. -30- | |
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