The new seniors housing unit in Terrace is almost ready to welcome tenants - with move in expected by summer.
Applications are not being accepted yet - but those interested will be able to apply through the BC Housing Registry. MLA Claire Rattée says it is a much needed improvement;
“The biggest thing is, I’m very grateful for this investment, and very grateful to see this housing opening up. But we can’t stop there. We know that we have a severe shortage of housing specifically for seniors and also because we have very limited access to long-term care. We need to make sure that we’re making investments in housing that is going to support seniors to age in place as best as we can. So that also means providing the wraparound services that are necessary to help people age in place. ”
The five-storey project will have four storeys of 43 affordable rental homes for seniors, and the ground floor will house the new Foundry centre.
The independent living for seniors upstairs is designed to support a range of mobility and accessibility needs. All homes are accessible or adaptable, helping seniors live comfortably and independently for longer.
Most of the rents will be geared to income. Troy Peters, associate director of support services for Terrace Community & District Social Services, says there are three different streams of rentals;
“So the 30% of the units are market rent, and you need to make less than $84,000 a year, and be eligible for market rent. And then 50% of the units are what is called RGTI or ‘rent geared to income’. And you need to make less than $40,000 a year. And then it’s calculated so that you pay 30% of your annual income for rent. So it makes it more affordable. People, based on their incomes, are not paying more than 30%. And then we have 20% of the units which are deep subsidy, and they’re set at a rate of 445$ per month. And to qualify for that, you need to make less than $24,000 a year.”
The Terrace & District Community Services Society will operate the homes. Peters says he hopes to see collaboration between the seniors and the youth downstairs.
“Some of the seniors can maybe teach some of the youth to, you know, do things like crocheting, and knitting. And maybe some of the youth can help some of the seniors with their phones on how to set them up.”
The mixed-use development is the result of a unique partnership between the Province, through BC Housing, the Terrace & District Community Services Society, and Foundry.