Lakeside Gardens in Nanaimo is located at 4088 Wellesley Ave. It's an independent and assisted living retirement residence with 123 units. (Lakeside Gardens)

By Kyle Ireland

senior housing security

Multi-million dollar project helps protect affordable homes for seniors in Nanaimo and B.C.

Feb 9, 2020 | 12:08 PM

NANAIMO — The B.C. Government and BC Housing have partnered to purchase four senior housing facilities across the province, including one in Nanaimo.

The goal of the $147.5 million partnership is to preserve residential assisted living suites at affordable rates in Nanaimo, Surrey and Kelowna.

In total, the province preserved 475 suites including 123 units at Nanaimo’s Lakeside Gardens where the average monthly rent is $935.

“Seniors should be able to find a home in their community, close to their friends, families and the services they count on,” Selina Robinson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing said in a release.

On Wednesday, Feb. 5, the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives released a report highlighting concerns on the number of publicly subsidized assisted living beds on the Island.

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The Centre said the number of pricier, private beds was outpacing publicly funded options which is costed according to a senior’s income.

“It is very important that we help seniors maintain healthy independence as long as possible,” Minister of Health Adrian Dix said. “We know many seniors in British Columbia may have housing affordability challenges.”

Approximately 27,000 seniors in the province live in publicly funded care homes.

kyle.ireland@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @Kyle_Ireland31