Seniors in Revelstoke are celebrating increased access to affordable housing at Moberly Apartments and Mount Begbie Villas. The two new buildings provide 24 affordable seniors' apartments, funded by the governments of Canada and British Columbia, along with Columbia Basin Trust and other community partners.

"This new affordable housing for seniors in Revelstoke is good news for the entire community," said David Wilks, Member of Parliament for Kootenay - Columbia. "I'm proud to say that these two projects received nearly $1.8 million in federal funding under the stimulus phase of Canada's Economic Action Plan. This investment gives hope to residents who need quality, affordable housing that meets their needs."

"Ensuring that seniors are able to remain in the communities they live in is an important priority for our government," said Eric Foster, MLA for Vernon-Monashee. "These 24 new affordable seniors' homes in Revelstoke show what can be accomplished when many community partners come together under a common vision and goal."

Through an amendment to the Canada-British Columbia Affordable Housing Agreement, the federal and provincial governments contributed a combined total of approximately $3.9 million for the two affordable Seniors' Rental Housing developments in Revelstoke.

Columbia Basin Trust has committed $425,000 to the overall capital costs of seven sites in the Columbia Basin region for a total of 114 units under the Seniors' Rental Housing initiative. This includes projects that have been built in Cranbrook, Kimberley, Creston, Baynes Lake, Golden, Revelstoke and Valemount.

"Columbia Basin Trust is committed to supporting initiatives throughout the basin that contribute to the betterment of our communities - and affordable housing is just one example of this commitment," said Neil Muth, president and chief executive officer, Columbia Basin Trust. "By working closely with all levels of government and community partners, we've been able to increase the number of seniors housing units in Revelstoke and in six other communities across the Basin."

Moberly Apartments, located at 711 West First St. provides eight new apartments of Seniors' Rental Housing adjacent to an existing 11-unit assisted living project.

All services are available from the existing common amenity component of Moberly Manor, including a common kitchen and dining area. Moberly Apartments are managed and operated by Halcyon Assisted Living Society.

Mount Begbie Villas, located at 1214 Downie St., provides 16 new apartments of housing for seniors in new modular units. This development is managed and operated by the Revelstoke Senior Citizens Housing Society.

"It's wonderful to be able to celebrate the openings of these two important developments in Revelstoke," said Tim Payne, executive director, Halcyon Assisted Living Society. "By providing a continuum of care - independent living and assisted living on the same site - Moberly Apartments now ensure that seniors have access to safe, affordable housing that meets their changing needs and I'd like to thank all partners who made this project possible."

"In the year that the new homes at Mount Begbie Villas have been occupied, we can already see that this is creating more than just a roof over people's heads - it's creating homes and a community," said Pam Doyle, board chair, Revelstoke Senior Citizens Housing Society. "This is vitally important to seniors in our community and I cannot celebrate this project enough."

The Seniors' Rental Housing initiative was a result of a $365-million joint investment under an amendment to the Canada-British Columbia Affordable Housing Agreement, which included funding through Canada's Economic Action Plan and by the government of British Columbia. This initiative, first announced by the two levels of government on April 8, 2009, provided $123.6 million, including $104 million for seniors and $19.6 million for persons with disabilities, to develop approximately 1,300 new affordable rental housing units, which has helped to stimulate local economies in smaller communities throughout B.C. Under terms of the agreement, the provincial and federal governments provided matching contributions of $61.8 million.

Under BC's Family Agenda, government is committed to improving housing for low-income families, seniors, and people experiencing homelessness. To learn more, visit: www.familiesfirstbc.ca

Since 2001, the B.C. government has invested $3.2 billion to provide affordable housing for low-income individuals, seniors and families. This year, more than 97,000 B.C. households will benefit from provincial social housing programs and services. To find out more, visit: www.bchousing.org

A backgrounder follows.

Media inquiries:

Seumas Gordon
BC Housing
604 439-4789

BACKGROUNDER 1

Moberly Apartments

Moberly Apartments, located at 711 West First St. in Revelstoke, provides eight one-bedroom apartments of affordable rental housing for seniors and people with disabilities.

This new development is adjacent to an existing 11-unit Independent Living BC project. The new apartments all have access to services from the assisted living building including common kitchen, dining area and amenity space.

Both the new apartments, as well as the existing assisted living apartments, are managed and operated by Halcyon Assisted Living Society,

Partners and Funding:

The total capital cost of this project is approximately $1.32 million:

• The Government of Canada provided $594,000 under Canada's Economic Action Plan - Housing for low-income seniors and housing for persons with disabilities.
• The B.C. government provided $537,214 as well as the land valued at $85,000.
• Columbia Basin Trust has committed $425,000 to the overall capital costs of seven sites in the Columbia Basin region for a total of 114 units under the Seniors' Rental Housing (SRH) initiative. This includes projects that have been built in Cranbrook, Kimberley, Creston, Baynes Lake, Golden, Revelstoke and Valemount.

Halcyon Assisted Living Society

Incorporated in 2004, Halcyon Assisted Living Society was formed in order to help people requiring assisted living access to housing and services to age in place in their home community.

Media inquiries:

Seumas Gordon
BC Housing
604 439-4789

BACKGROUNDER 2

Mount Begbie Villas

Mount Begbie Villas, located at 1214 Downie St. in Revelstoke, provide 16 affordable modular apartments for seniors and people with disabilities.

Modular housing has been used extensively for the Seniors' Rental Housing developments as it allows construction to take place in a factory with less dependence on weather conditions. The modular units meet EnerGuide 80 standards, and are designed to be easily accessible for seniors and people with disabilities. This includes room sizes that allow for wheelchair access and manoeuvring, shelves and light switches at an accessible height and bathroom grab bars or step-in showers.

Mount Begbie Villas are managed and operated by the Revelstoke Senior Citizens Housing Society.

Partners and Funding:

The total capital cost for this project is approximately $2.7 million:

• The Government of Canada provided approximately $1.3 million under Canada's Economic Action Plan - Housing for low-income seniors and housing for persons with disabilities.
• The B.C. government provided approximately $1.2 million as well as the land valued at approximately $210,000.
• Columbia Basin Trust has committed $425,000 to the overall capital costs of seven sites in the Columbia Basin region for a total of 114 units under the Seniors' Rental Housing (SRH) initiative. This includes projects that have been built in Cranbrook, Kimberley, Creston, Baynes Lake, Golden, Revelstoke and Valemount.

Revelstoke Senior Citizens Housing Society

The non-profit Revelstoke Senior Citizens Housing Society was established in 1980 to construct, provide, maintain, lease, own and manage low-rental projects for senior citizens. Mount Begbie Manor, built in 1984, was the first development owned and operated by the Society. The society is an initiative of the Rotary Club of Revelstoke and all directors are either current or past Rotarians.

Media inquiries:

Seumas Gordon
BC Housing
604 439-4789