Residents of Kinsmen Lodge have moved into their new building - a 157-unit residential care home - which was officially opened today in Surrey.

Located at 9650 - 137A St., Kinsmen Lodge has 145 government-funded beds and 12 private-pay beds for seniors in need of long-term care. This new building replaces the former Kinsmen Place Lodge on Old Yale Road. It includes a courtyard, art room, exercise room, chapel, hair salon and a multi-purpose room. Every floor has a dining room.

The provincial government provided $33.7 million in long-term financing. Fraser Health will contribute approximately $8.8 million in annual operating funds for personal care services and a portion of the hospitality services for the 145 government-funded residential care beds in the facility. The Whalley & District Senior Citizens Housing Society provided the land.

Kinsmen Lodge is managed and operated by the Whalley & District Senior Citizens Housing Society.

Quotes:

Stephanie Cadieux, Minister of Social Development and MLA for Surrey-Panorama -

"The Kinsmen Lodge has been a part of our community for more than 30 years, and this new building will be here to serve seniors in our community for many more years to come. I want to thank the Whalley & District Senior Citizens Housing Society for their hard work and commitment on behalf of seniors here in Surrey."

Michael de Jong, Minister of Health -

"Our government works closely with community agencies and the non-profit sector to make sure seniors have safe, accessible and affordable housing in their community. This project will go a long way to help provide them with the housing and health care supports they need."

Dianne Watts, mayor, City of

"Whalley & District Senior Citizens Housing Society has a long and storied history serving senior citizens in our city. I am proud that with the new Kinsmen Lodge, they can continue this tradition, providing seniors in Surrey with the highest quality housing care they need to age in place."

Dr. Nigel Murray, president and CEO, Fraser Health -

"The Fraser Health region is one of the fastest growing and fastest aging in B.C. and we must ensure that area seniors have access to the best care options and services they need as they age. We are delighted to be a part of this partnership and to provide annual funding to Kinsmen Lodge, supporting our seniors most in need."

Kathleen Strath, CEO, Whalley & District Senior Citizens Housing Society -

"We are thrilled to kick off the next chapter in our organization's history today with the official opening of the new Kinsmen Lodge. We bring with us over 35 years of experience in providing Elders with the highest-quality care that they so richly deserve."

Quick Facts:

• Over the last decade, the provincial government has invested $2.8 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.
• In 2010-11, the provincial government invested over $32 million to provide subsidized housing and rent supplements for more than 6,800 Surrey households.
• The Whalley & District Senior Citizens Housing Society is a non-profit organization committed to supporting and working with community services and agencies to provide seniors with quality health-care services.

Learn More:

To read how the provincial housing strategy is helping British Columbians, visit:

http://www.bchousing.org/Media/Stories

To learn more about Kinsmen Lodge, visit: www.kinsmenlodge.ca

Contacts:

Seumas Gordon
BC Housing
604 439-4789
604 417-5791 (cell)

Fraser Health
Media Pager
604 450-7881
media@fraserhealth.ca