Vernon seniors lacking housing, support options turn to My Place

Nov 29, 2019 | 3:40 PM

Seniors are in a housing crunch and an increasing number of them are turning for help to My Place, a supportive housing facility in Vernon meant to assist the homeless.

The alarming trend was brought to city council’s attention on Monday.

In an interview with Vernon Matters, the apartment manager of My Place, Shelley Kiefiuk, said she and other staff members are seeing a rise in demand for seniors housing — particularly for those with complex mental health and addictions issues.

“They are not going to last in regular seniors’ housing because they have such complex needs, either mental health wise or they are actively using substances,” Kiefiuk said.

The challenge will become greater, according to Kiefiuk once seniors start having physical health needs because staff at My Place aren’t trained as residential care aides.

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A total of 65 people in Vernon have applied to My Place for housing. B.C Housing was unable to specify how many seniors have applied since its opening in May.

The gap in housing facilities for seniors with mental health and substance issues is a gap many say needs bridging as the seniors’ population continues to grow. Recent demographic projections by Stats Canada predicts one in five Canadians are expected to be over the age of 65 by 2024.

Pushing her walker down a sidewalk along 31st Avenue, 86-year-old Lois is not surprised that seniors with complex mental health and addictions issues are facing difficulties finding housing.

While she has not struggled with mental health and addictions issues herself, finding a place to live in Vernon while on a pension has proven to be a challenge.

“I can’t afford it. I was thinking about renting over at Catherine Gardens and they have a waiting list to get in there and you start at $1,200 a month for renting an apartment,” she said.

The cost of housing has meant she has had to forgo hearing aids because of the cost.

“They wanted $3,000 and I said ‘No I can’t do that; that’s my rent.’”

Jerry Tellier is the manager of Vernon Restholm, an affordable housing complex with 47 rooms. Rates start at $1,140 a month for bachelor suites ranging from 130 to 255 square feet in size.

He told Vernon Matters Vernon Restholm consistently has a one-year waitlist with a minimum of 15 people listed annually.

He’s urging the government to pour more money into seniors housing to give seniors an affordable place to live.

According to B.C. Housing, the province currently funds 345 units of independent seniors housing, 306 units of supportive seniors’ housing, and 143 units of supportive housing, including My Place. Funding is also available for 591 Vernon seniors with low to moderate incomes through the Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters program.

An additional 157 new affordable housing units are the works for Vernon. Some will be available to seniors.

Still even with housing projects approved, B.C. Housing would not specify if they would be able to serve seniors with mental health and addictions issues. Instead they said they will work with seniors to navigate “the health care system to get the appropriate health-related supports they need so that they can be successful in remaining in their homes.”

by Tiffany Goodwein

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