To address the growing need for supportive care for seniors, Boundary-Similkameen MLA Linda Larson has announced that the Province of B.C. has signed a three-year agreement with the Desert Valley Hospice Society to help develop a hospice centre in Osoyoos.

As of Sept. 1, 2014, the Province is providing the society with the use of a building, owned by the B.C. government, at 22 Jonagold Place. The Province will also deliver funding support for operating costs, including building maintenance, property taxes, and utilities.

The Desert Valley Hospice Society will use the space to plan and build capacity for a community-based hospice. The society is a charitable organization committed to end-of-life care for residents in Oliver and Osoyoos.

Quotes:

Linda Larson, MLA for Boundary-Similkameen -

“Community-led initiatives and non-profit societies are the foundation of our supportive housing sector. The great work that the Desert Valley Hospice Society is doing will lead to more options for families in our Southern Okanagan communities who need supportive care and hospice accommodations.”

Janet Shaw, Desert Valley Hospice Society -

“Desert Valley Hospice Society is very pleased to have the opportunity to create a supportive care centre with the generous assistance of BC Housing and the Government of B.C. This will enable the society to have a home from which to operate as we work to achieve our vision to support excellence in the delivery of hospice palliative and end-of-life care.”

Quick Facts:

• The Province will provide over $37,000 in annual funding toward the operation of the resource development space.
• Approximately $35,000 per year in operating costs, including building maintenance, property taxes, and utilities also will be provided by the provincial government.
• The Province has committed an additional $50,000 to ensure the building is ready for the society to occupy.
• Since 2001, the B.C. government has created more than 11,000 new supportive and independent social housing units for seniors and people with special needs.
• Last year, the Province invested over $340,000 in Osoyoos to provide subsidized housing and rent supplements for more than 130 households, including over 110 senior households.

Learn More:

Find out more about the Desert Valley Hospice Society: http://www.desertvalleyhospice.org/

BC Housing provides social and supportive housing options: www.bchousing.org

Media Contacts:

Fergus McCann
BC Housing
778 452 6445