Lək̓ʔəŋən [LEKWUNGEN] TERRITORY / VICTORIA, B.C. — Leader of the BC Greens and candidate for Saanich North and the Islands launched the BC Greens’ plan to address the needs of seniors, while easing pressure on a stretched health and social services system.
“Every senior in BC deserves to feel secure, valued and supported at home and in their community,” said Lowan. “Yet one in every nine food bank visits in B.C. last year was made by someone over 65, and the waitlist for long-term care has tripled since 2016. Seniors are the fastest-growing population in our province, and successive governments have failed to plan for it. Our plan expands rental help for low-income seniors, protects people in assisted living from surprise fees, and builds the public care our parents and grandparents were promised.”
44% of renters who are seniors live in unaffordable housing, as compared to the 30% of renters who are working-age adults who live in unaffordable housing.
“British Columbians deserve a province that is prepared to care for people at every stage of life,” said Lowan. “Helping seniors stay in their own homes is better for them and better for the public purse. A long-term care bed costs taxpayers $27,740 more per year than two hours of daily home support — this move is the right thing to do for our seniors, the right thing to do for our economy, and the right thing to do, period.”
The BC Greens will:
- Further increase the thresholds for Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters to provide greater monthly rental assistance for low-income seniors. The thresholds will be raised to $48,000 for single individuals and $53,000 for couples, ensuring more seniors qualify for support.
- Apply vacancy control to assisted living, including the additional fees for services, to protect seniors from rent increases and extra charges.
- Develop and implement a detailed plan to increase the number of publicly-funded long-term care facilities to meet the growing demand for senior care services.
Click here to read our full Supporting Seniors Policy Brief.
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Media contact
Prym Goodacre, Media & Campaigns Officer
+778 650 0597
newsroom@bcgreens.ca