British Columbia’s elderly need more government help with housing, according to the latest report from B.C.’s seniors’ advocate.
Isobel Mackenzie released her latest report last Thursday, outlining the housing crunch seniors are facing.
“I met with seniors in every corner of the province, and the Number 1 message I heard was that housing is not nearly as available or affordable as it needs to be to meet the needs of some seniors,” Mackenzie said in a media release. “What we found very clear is that the improvements are critically needed.”
Mackenzie’s report, titled Seniors Housing in B.C, Affordable, Appropriate, Available, is her fourth report but the first to include recommendations for government.
Mackenzie found that the overwhelming majority, 93 per cent, of seniors are living independently, but they still need help financially. Even those who own their own homes are still getting by on a median income of just $24,000 a year or less. Mackenzie called on the provincial government to increase shelter subsidies for seniors and come up with a strategy for low-cost housing in B.C.’s rural areas.
“I’m very concerned that some seniors are going without some of the basics in order to meet their rent obligations. There are many health costs, such as dental care and hearing aids, that are not covered,” Mackenzie said. “This can have a significant impact on health and well-being of seniors.”
Mackenzie made 18 key suggestions, mostly focused on affordable housing, and now it’s up to the provincial government to implement those recommendations.
The seniors’ advocate reports to Health Minister Terry Lake, who issued a statement in response to Mackenzie’s report.
“Some of the recommendations have wide-reaching implications for the health authorities, for the ministry and for the seniors’ housing sector and will need further analysis before we can commit to an approach,” Lake said in a media release. “We will use the findings and recommendations in this report to guide the work we are doing to provide more patient-centred care and integrated supports for seniors in the community and at home where they live.”
