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Senior housing in BC: Choose the option that’s right for you
By Luz Billon
Two housing options are available to BC seniors: independent living and residential care. Independent living arrangements are further classified into independent housing, supportive housing and assisted living. Statistics have shown that 93 percent of BC seniors will live out their lives in an independent living arrangement.
Independent housing is where no on-site support is available and may require services delivered to your home. Seniors can choose public or private options. Public housing options are subsidized rental housing for low fixed income renters. Some subsidized independent living housing may include limited supports such as meals and social and recreational activities.
Private independent housing options can be rental housing which may include private market rental, private market rental geared to older tenants, co-ops or single room accommodation hotels (SRA) or purchased housing which may include strata-titled
retirement communities or equity co-ops life lease.
Supportive housing is a housing arrangement where there is a combination of onsite support services. These may include housekeeping, emergency response and meals. There are very few public supportive housing units. Referral from your local health authority is required to avail of this option. Private supportive housing on the other hand, does not require referral. These may include larger scale apartment style or smaller scale housing option called Abbeyfield Style. Abbeyfield style is a home where 8 to 10 seniors living together with their own bedroom and ensuite bathroom, shared meals and
congregate areas. Rates will vary but rent portion may qualify for SAFER (see below).
Independent housing is where no on-site support is available and may require services delivered to your home. Seniors can choose public or private options. Public housing options are subsidized rental housing for low fixed income renters. Some subsidized independent living housing may include limited supports such as meals and social and recreational activities.
Private independent housing options can be rental housing which may include private market rental, private market rental geared to older tenants, co-ops or single room accommodation hotels (SRA) or purchased housing which may include strata-titled
retirement communities or equity co-ops life lease.
Supportive housing is a housing arrangement where there is a combination of onsite support services. These may include housekeeping, emergency response and meals. There are very few public supportive housing units. Referral from your local health authority is required to avail of this option. Private supportive housing on the other hand, does not require referral. These may include larger scale apartment style or smaller scale housing option called Abbeyfield Style. Abbeyfield style is a home where 8 to 10 seniors living together with their own bedroom and ensuite bathroom, shared meals and
congregate areas. Rates will vary but rent portion may qualify for SAFER (see below).
The SAFER program provides direct cash assistance to eligible residents of BC who are age 60 or over and who pay rent for their homes. Other eligibility requirements are: must have lived in BC for the full 12 months immediately preceding application and must be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident or a convention refugee; must
be paying more than 30 percent of gross monthly household income towards the rent of the home; must meet monthly household income eligibility.
Seniors residing in a Long-Term Care facility or in a residence that is subsidized through another government program are not eligible. Seniors who are in Canada under a sponsorship program are not eligible for subsidy while the sponsorship agreement is still in place. SAFER is a non-taxable rent benefit.
be paying more than 30 percent of gross monthly household income towards the rent of the home; must meet monthly household income eligibility.
Seniors residing in a Long-Term Care facility or in a residence that is subsidized through another government program are not eligible. Seniors who are in Canada under a sponsorship program are not eligible for subsidy while the sponsorship agreement is still in place. SAFER is a non-taxable rent benefit.
Assisted Living provides housing, hospitality and personalized assistance services for adults who can live independently, but require regular assistance with daily activities. Services offered may include help with bathing, grooming, dressing and mobility, meals,
housekeeping, laundry, social and recreational opportunities, and 24-hour emergency response. Public assisted living requires referral from your local health unit. Cost for this type of housing is 70 percent of after tax income. Private assisted living on the other hand does not require referral.
Residential care arrangement is for people who need 24-hour professional nursing care and can no longer be supported in their own homes. Services may include assistance with meals, medication supervision, personal assistance with daily activities, planned
program of social and recreational activities and respite. Priority for public residential care is available to people with the highest need and urgency as determined by the BC"s residential access policy.
Referral from your local health authority is required. Rates are determined based on income and is calculated on a per diem basis. Private residential care on the other hand does not require referral, and rates can vary.
housekeeping, laundry, social and recreational opportunities, and 24-hour emergency response. Public assisted living requires referral from your local health unit. Cost for this type of housing is 70 percent of after tax income. Private assisted living on the other hand does not require referral.
Residential care arrangement is for people who need 24-hour professional nursing care and can no longer be supported in their own homes. Services may include assistance with meals, medication supervision, personal assistance with daily activities, planned
program of social and recreational activities and respite. Priority for public residential care is available to people with the highest need and urgency as determined by the BC"s residential access policy.
Referral from your local health authority is required. Rates are determined based on income and is calculated on a per diem basis. Private residential care on the other hand does not require referral, and rates can vary.
For more information on senior housing, contact:
- · BC Housing (LINK TO www.bchousing.org) and SAFER 604 433-2218
- · BC Non Profit Housing Association (LINK TO www.bcnpha.bc.ca) 604 291-2600
- · Cooperative Housing Federation of BC (LINK TO www.chf.bc.ca) 604 879-5111
- · Canadian Cohousing Network (CCN) (LINK TO www.cohousing.ca) 604 888-1158
- · Assisted Living (LINK TO www.healthservices.gov.bc.ca/assisted) 604 714-3378
- · Seniors Services Society (LINK TO www.seniorsservicessociety.ca) 604 520-6621
Luz Billon is a Certified Management Accountant and former UPAABC president This article was originally published in UPAABC’s Oblation Newsletter.