WEST VANCOUVER, October 21, 2006 Kiwanis Manor, a new $14.7 million supportive and assisted living development, which provides 76 new affordable housing apartments for seniors, was opened today by federal, provincial and community funding partners. Kiwanis Manor is the first subsidized assisted living development in West Vancouver. "Canada's New Government is proud to help build these new assisted living apartments, which will provide seniors with the special attention they deserve, while allowing them to live with independence and dignity close to their friends and families," said James Moore, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver Whistler Olympics, and to the Minister of Public Works and Government Services, and Member of Parliament for Port Moody Westwood Port Coquitlam, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development. "This is a great project that's going to make a real difference in the lives of some very luck people." Kiwanis Seniors Housing Society of West Vancouver worked in partnership with the Government of Canada, the Province and the District of West Vancouver to open Kiwanis Manor, a new development offering home support and residential care for lower-income seniors. Thirty assisted living apartments are funded by the federal and provincial governments through Independent Living BC (ILBC), with the remaining 46 supportive units funded provincially through Community Partnership Initiatives. "Our government is committed to working with non-profit societies and all levels of government to ensure better housing and health care options for seniors," said West Vancouver Capilano MLA Ralph Sultan. "These units help to fulfil the Province's commitment to develop 5,000 new beds for seniors and people with disabilities by June 2008." The assisted living units are self-contained one-bedroom apartments where residents will receive hospitality services, including meals, housekeeping and laundry, recreational opportunities and a 24-hour response system, along with personal care services, such as assistance with medications, mobility and other care needs. InSite Housing, Hospitality and Health Services will be providing the services. Tenants in the supportive apartments will have the option to purchase some of the personal care services provided to the assisted living tenants. "The vast majority of seniors do not want or need 24-hour care in an institutional setting," said Rizwan Damji, Director, Seniors Program for the North Shore, Vancouver Coastal Health. "The assisted living units in this development will add to the range of housing and care options currently available in West Vancouver and better suit a growing population of seniors who are living longer, healthier lives." "This development is essential and most welcome in West Vancouver, as it provides an excellent housing alternative, and enables our seniors to continue to be important and active participants in the life of our community," said Mayor Pamela Goldsmith-Jones, District of West Vancouver. "These homes will allow West Vancouver seniors to continue to live in their own community independently, which defines quality of life for many of them," said Harry Martin, president of the Kiwanis Seniors Housing Society of West Vancouver. "The ILBC units will help alleviate the need for affordable, independent seniors and assisted living seniors housing in this municipality." The Province of British Columbia, through the Independent Living BC program is committed to providing more than 4,000 affordable assisting living apartments for B.C. seniors and persons with disabilities. The Government of Canada, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, will contribute more than $130 million by 2010 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 BC Affordable Housing Agreement, as part of a larger strategy to provide a range of housing options for British Columbians in greatest need. Contact: Laura Kohli BC Housing 604-439-8583 604-805-4960 (cell) Harry Martin Kiwanis Seniors Housing Society of West Vancouver 604-926-4056 Nelson Merizzi CMHC 604-341-0970 Clive Camm Vancouver Coastal Health 604 984-3868 604-230-2672 (cell)
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Backgrounder Kiwanis Manor Kiwanis Manor is located at 959 21st Street, West Vancouver. The new four-storey building has 76 units, including 30 assisted living and 46 supportive apartments for lower income seniors, and underground parking. All of the one-bedroom apartments are wheelchair accessible. Kiwanis Seniors Housing Society of West Vancouver The Kiwanis Club of West Vancouver was founded in 1947. In 1953, studies by the West Vancouver Municipal Council established the need for rental units for low-income seniors. The council approached the Kiwanis Club of West Vancouver, which incorporated itself in order to take on the project. The objective of the new society was to establish and maintain low-cost housing for low-income seniors. More than 50 years later, these objectives remain the same. Kiwanis Seniors Housing Society of West Vancouver also operates Kiwanis Court, 83 affordable independent seniors' apartments and Kiwanis Park, 80 affordable bachelor units for seniors, both of which are adjacent to the new development. Partners and Funding The capital cost of the development is $14,700,000. The federal government, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), is providing a $2 million capital grant. The provincial government, through BC Housing, is contributing a $2 million grant and will provide up to $171,000 annually in rent supplements for the 30 assisted living units. Vancouver Coastal Health will subsidize the costs of hospitality services and personal care for the 30 assisted living units in the amount of $600,000 annually. The District of West Vancouver waived $505,835 in development cost levies and provided a portion of the land, valued at $656,000. The district will also grant the society property tax exemption. Kiwanis Seniors Housing Society of West Vancouver donated most of the land, valued at $2.45 million, and $2.7 million in cash. The Society also received $15,000 in donation from Capilano Kiwanis.
