Aboriginal Elders and seniors in Duncan have increased access to affordable housing with today's official opening of Ts'i'ts'uwatul Lelum, a new 50-unit, assisted-living development funded by the governments of Canada and British Columbia, along with community partners.

"Our Government is investing in affordable housing here in British Columbia and across Canada to help create jobs and improve the quality of life for those who need it most," said James Lunney, Member of Parliament for Nanaimo - Alberni, on behalf of the Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State for Social Development. "With our partners, we are providing a helping hand for seniors and Aboriginal Elders, and in doing so, we are contributing to the economic and social well-being of the entire community. We remain focused on four priorities, as outlined by the Prime Minister, that Canadians care most about: their families, the safety of our streets and communities, their pride in being a citizen of this country, and of course, their personal financial security."

"Our government is a proud supporter of projects like Ts'i'ts'uwatul Lelum, which directly results in an increase of assisted-living housing options for seniors across B.C.," said John Rustad, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation. "This building provides Elders residing on Cowichan land the opportunity to remain in the community they know and love, living independently close to their family and friends."

Through an amendment to the Canada - British Columbia Affordable Housing Agreement, the federal and provincial governments have contributed $13.5 million for the 50-apartments project. The Cowichan Tribes have provided the land valued at approximately $1.2 million. In addition, Island Health will provide approximately $487,000 in annual operational funding for personal care services.

"Our Elders are an integral part of our community here in Cowichan, which is why our tribe was pleased to contribute the land for this development, allowing them to gracefully age in the community they helped build," said William "Chip" Seymour, Chief of Cowichan Tribes. "The opening of this building represents a fruitful partnership with our governments and community partners.

"Island Health recognizes that people want to live as independently as possible, for as long as possible in their own communities with respect for their cultures," said Don Hubbard, board chair, Island Health. "Island Health is proud of its collaboration with the M'akola Housing Society and other partners in the Ts'i'ts'uwatul Lelum project to ensure culturally responsible supports to Elders. Island Health has a rapidly growing seniors' population and we place a high priority on meeting the needs of seniors and others who require assisted living."

Ts'i'ts'uwatul Lelum, located at 5755 Allenby Rd. in Duncan, is owned and managed by M'akola Housing Society.

"For nearly 30 years, M'akola Housing Society has been a committed Aboriginal affordable housing provider on Vancouver Island," said Kevin Albers, chief executive officer, M'akola Housing Society. "We are pleased to bring our years of experience to support the Elders and seniors who reside at Ts'i'ts'uwatul Lelum and we are thankful for the collaborative partnerships with Cowichan Tribes, our governments and community partners that made this building possible."

The Federal-Provincial Housing initiative is a component of the $180-million Investment in Affordable Housing (IAH) 2011-2014 Agreement between the governments of Canada and British Columbia, which was announced in July 2011. With matching contributions of $90 million from both levels of government, this total combined investment helps to support affordable housing programs for B.C. residents.

Annually, the Government of Canada, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), will invest approximately $2 billion in housing. Of this amount, $1.7 billion will be spent in support of close to 594,000 households living in existing social housing. In British Columbia, this represents an estimated 68,050 households. The remaining funding supports housing-related activities and affordable housing programs, including the Investment in Affordable Housing.

These investments are improving the quality of life for low-income Canadians and households living in existing social housing, including individuals who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness, seniors, persons with disabilities, recent immigrants and Aboriginal people.

Economic Action Plan 2013 continues this commitment with a federal investment of more than $1.25 billion over five years to renew the Investment in Affordable Housing to 2019. The Government of Canada will ensure that funds provided to provinces and territories support the use of apprentices, which will support training of skilled labour. More than 146,769 households across Canada are no longer in housing need as a result of funding provided under the IAH from April 1, 2011 to June 30, 2013.

To find out more about how the Government of Canada and CMHC are working to build stronger homes and communities for all Canadians, call CMHC at 1 800 668-2642 or visit: www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca

Since 2001, the Government of B.C. has invested $3.6 billion to provide affordable housing for low-income individuals, seniors and families. This year, more than 98,000 B.C. households will benefit from a diverse range of provincial housing programs and services. To find out more, visit: www.bchousing.org

A backgrounder follows.

Media inquiries:

Fergus McCann
BC Housing
778 452-6445

Andrea Scott
CMHC Communications
BC Region
604 737-4064

Andrew McGrath
A/Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of State (Social Development)
819 953-2350

Valerie Wilson
Island Health
250 739-6303

BACKGROUNDER

Ts'i'ts'uwatul Lelum

Ts'i'ts'uwatul Lelum, located at 5755 Allenby Rd. in Duncan, is a four-storey building with 46 one-bedroom apartments and four two-bedroom apartments. Amenities include a reception area, a dining room, crafts room, hair salon, TV room, lounge and a kitchen and food preparation area. The building was constructed to LEED Silver standard. M'akola Housing Society owns and manages the assisted living development.

Residents receive two meals daily and access to recreational activities including exercise and art and craft classes, as well as assistance with light housekeeping and laundry. Staff are on hand 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Partners and Funding:

The total capital cost for the development is approximately $14.7 million.

• The governments of Canada and B.C. have provided a combined investment of $13.5 million through the Federal-Provincial Housing initiative, under the Investment in Affordable Housing.
• The Cowichan Tribes provided the land valued at approximately $1,206,000.

Operational funding:

• Island Health is providing $487,000 annually for personal care services.

M'akola Housing Society

Established in 1984, M'akola Housing Society is a non-profit organization which operates over 1,300 Aboriginal affordable housing units, primarily for Aboriginal people.

Media inquiries:

Fergus McCann
BC Housing
778 452-6445

Andrea Scott
CMHC Communications
BC Region
604 737-4064

Andrew McGrath
A/Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of State (Social Development)
819 953-2350 

Valerie Wilson
Island Health
250 739-6303