$1M ASSISTED LIVING DEVELOPMENT OPENS IN MASSET

MASSET – Seniors and adults with disabilities in Masset now have access to four new affordable homes with the opening of the Nick Grosse assisted living development.

“The Government of Canada is committed to making affordable housing available in British Columbia and across Canada for those who need it most,” said Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, and Minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. “By investing over $1 million in this project, we are helping seniors and persons living with disabilities access quality, affordable housing, and the services they need to move forward with their lives.”

The federal government, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, provided over $1 million towards the development under the Canada-B.C. Affordable Housing Initiative, and the Province will provide an ongoing subsidy of approximately $3,440 per month.

“Our government is committed to providing accessible, supportive housing solutions for seniors and adults with disabilities,” said Rich Coleman, Minister of Housing and Social Development. “These four units will allow individuals the opportunity to live in their community, close to family and friends, with convenient access to the services they need.”

The one-storey wood-frame Nick Grosse assisted living development is adjacent to the new Haida Gwaii Hospital and Health Centre that officially opened in October 2008. The four assisted living homes are funded under Independent Living BC (ILBC), an innovative housing-for-health program that provides housing for seniors and people with disabilities.

Residents pay 70 per cent of their after-tax income for their units and services, which include two meals per day, weekly housekeeping and linen services, 24-hour response, personal care services, and social and recreational opportunities. The Village of Masset is providing land equity valued at $20,000 and Northern Health will provide funding for full personal care and some hospitality services.

“Our seniors expressed a need for accessible, supportive housing options to allow them to live independently for as long as they can,” said Masset mayor Barry Pages. “The Nick Grosse assisted living development is an important addition to our community.”

“This development is an important resource for the community of Masset and the Queen Charlottes as a whole,” said Angela Szabo, west cluster Home and Community Care manager for Northern Health. “The four residents at Nick Grosse not only receive assistance with medications and mobility, they have also been immersed in social and recreational opportunities that have positively impacted their overall quality of life.”

This development is named after Nick Grosse, an interpreter for the American Embassy in Germany who immigrated to Canada (Montreal) in 1951 when he was 26 years old. Grosse always dreamed of living in British Columbia, and in 1955 he was offered the opportunity. When he arrived in Haida Gwaii he said it was love at first sight and felt he was finally “home.” Grosse embraced his new home and was an active member of his community, serving as mayor of the Village of Masset from 1974 to 1981. He was involved in many community initiatives and has left a great legacy that will forever be a part of Masset’s history.

“Great and good are seldom used to describe the same man, with the exception of my father, Nick Grosse,” said James Grosse. “We are extremely pleased that his name and legacy is being memorialized through this building.”

The Province of British Columbia is committed to providing more than 4,000 affordable assisted living apartments for B.C. seniors and persons with disabilities. To date, more than 3,900 have been allocated in communities across the province. Through the provincial housing strategy, Housing Matters BC, the Province is investing more than $469 million in shelters and affordable housing this year, four times as much as in 2001.

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation has been Canada's national housing agency for more than 60 years. CMHC is committed to helping Canadians access a wide choice of quality, affordable homes, while making vibrant, healthy communities and cities a reality across the country.

Last fall, the Government of Canada committed more than $1.9 billion over the next five years to improve and build new affordable housing and to help the homeless. Canada’s Economic Action Plan builds on this with an additional one-time investment of more than $2 billion over two years in new and existing social housing and lending of up to $2 billion for housing-related infrastructure.

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Contact:

Christina Wensley

CMHC

604-737-4032

Rachel Nelken

BC Housing

778 452-2719

604 505-8428 (cell)

Northern Health Communications

Media Line

250 961-7724




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