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April 27, 2009 NEW SENIORS' HOUSING DEVELOPMENT OPENS DOORS IN ST. BONIFACEManitoba seniors have another age-friendly housing option that combines community-based living with access to needed supports, Healthy Living Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross announced today at the grand opening of a redeveloped supportive housing facility in St. Boniface.
“Our government is investing in a range of housing and support options that allow older Manitobans to age with independence and dignity,” said Irvin-Ross, minister responsible for seniors. “With a little support, seniors can continue to take part in their favourite activities and stay connected to their communities.”
Supportive housing is an option for seniors who require 24-hour support and supervision but do not need the level of medical care provided in a personal-care home. A total of $1.6 million was invested to redevelop 24 units on the third floor of 875 Elizabeth Rd. as part of the province’s HOUSINGFirst program, a three-year initiative that provides affordable homes for low-income Manitobans. Recently, the province announced it would double this year’s renovation budget to $48 million for a total of $212 million over the life of the program.
As well as redeveloping 24 suites into bright, modern living spaces with access to appropriate supports, the funding announcing today will support:
· modernizing the main kitchen,
· updating the common dining and meeting area,
· adding a sprinkler system to the entire building, and
· enhancing security systems.
“Manitoba’s senior population is growing and the province is making important investments to provide safe, affordable housing,” said Jean-Yves Rochon, chair of the Manitoba Council on Aging. “These projects offer another option for seniors who want to remain a vibrant part of their community, surrounded by the supports and services necessary to remain healthy and well.”
Réal Cloutier, Winnipeg Regional Health Authority vice-president of long-term care, noted the opening of the Elizabeth Road facility means the number of new supportive housing spaces in Winnipeg has almost doubled to 516 from 260.
“These strategies recognize that seniors want to remain vibrant members of their communities for as long as they can, contributing to and participating in neighbourhood activities,” said Cloutier. “Having options between living at home and being in a personal-care home allows them to do that.”
The province continues to invest in community-based housing options for seniors by investing in supportive housing facilities and developing community-based resources for seniors.
Since the introduction of the province’s Aging in Place strategy, more than 380 new supportive housing units and over 2,900 Supports for Seniors in Group Living spaces have been developed to provide a range of services to seniors who do not require the medical care that would be provided in a personal-care home.
The minister also noted a new Aging in Place brochure is available to help connect seniors and their families with information about housing options for older Manitobans. These brochures are available from community organizations and online at www.manitoba.ca/health/aginginplace.
Today’s announcement builds on the work of the Age-Friendly Manitoba Initiative to support seniors in leading active, socially engaged, independent lives that contribute to healthy aging. The minister noted the goal is to make Manitoba the most age-friendly province in Canada by working with communities to enhance the programs and services that benefit the well-being of all seniors.
The 84-home public housing community on Elizabeth Road is owned and managed by Manitoba Housing. Throughout the province, Manitoba Housing manages approximately 35,000 low-income homes with a total value of almost $4 billion.
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