News Releases

Manitoba is investing more than $21 million to expand community housing options for seniors in rural and northern areas of the province, Health Minister Theresa Oswald announced today.

 

“When Manitoba communities have a wide range of affordable community housing options, it fosters independence and good health for older Manitobans,” said Oswald.  “From personal-care homes to supportive housing projects, this funding will provide seniors across the province with the care and support they need as they grow older.”

 

The province will invest more than $20 million to construct a 100-bed personal-care home in Neepawa.  The new facility will allow area residents continued access to the personal-care services they need while remaining close to families and friends.

 

Manitoba is also investing more than $1.1 million for community housing projects in rural and northern Manitoba.  The regional health authorities developed proposals for supports for seniors in group-living and supportive housing projects and will receive funding for their projects.  The projects include new supports for 659 spaces:

·         54 spaces for supports for seniors in a group-living project in Portage la Prairie, 47 spaces for supports for seniors in a group-living project in Carman and 140 spaces for supports for seniors in a group-living project in Winkler in the Regional Health Authority – Central Manitoba’s area;

·         five supportive housing units in St. Laurent and 16 supportive housing units in Arborg in the Interlake Regional Health Authority’s area;

·         30 spaces for supports for seniors in a group-living project in Flin Flon in the NOR-MAN Regional Health Authority’s area;

·         five supportive housing units and 13 spaces for supports for seniors in a group-living project in Beausejour and 39 spaces for supports for seniors in a group-living project in Lac du Bonnet in the North Eastman Health Association’s area;

·         103 spaces for supports for seniors in a group-living project in Dauphin in the Parkland Regional Health Authority’s area; and

·         eight supportive housing units and 88 spaces for supports for seniors in a group-living project in Steinbach, 10 supportive housing units in Niverville and 101 spaces for supports for seniors in a group-living project in Ste. Anne in the South Eastman Regional Health Authority’s area.

 

“The regional health authorities have shown tremendous leadership in identifying key projects and supporting their seniors,” said Healthy Living Minister Kerri-Irvin Ross, minister responsible for seniors. “We look forward to continuing our work with the regions to provide more neighbourhood-based housing and supports to help people remain in their communities as long as possible."

 

Regional health authorities are continuing to develop projects to provide community housing options for seniors across Manitoba.  These community-based projects include:

·         Supports for Seniors in Group-living Projects – Residents are offered help with daily tasks such as using a bank or dialling a telephone.  This allows them to continue to live independently in the community.

·         Supportive Housing Projects – Residents who may be in the early stages of dementia are able to live in a secure area and receive 24-hour support and supervision.

 

“Seniors place a high value on ties to their families and communities, and want to continue to be actively engaged in community life as participants and volunteers supporting community organizations,” said Norma Drosdowech, chair of the Manitoba Council on Aging. “These new initiatives give seniors a wider range of choices – choices that will allow them to continue to serve their communities.”

 

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