HOUSING FOR SENIORS
Affordable rentals are currently difficult to find in Vancouver.
When their tenancy is threatened or ended, many elderly tenants on fixed incomes are unable to relocate anywhere near their former homes, even temporarily.
New buildings, even those with a percentage of below-market rental units, are not yet ready for tenants.
What are Westside Seniors Hub members doing about housing for seniors?
Recent updates listed first.
October 2024
Council invited WSH Partners to participate in feedback on the City’s Social Housing Initiative and representatives attended SHI Open House consultations to speak with Planners
September 2024
VCH Population Health facilitated contacting the City of Vancouver’s Assistant Director Housing Policy and Regulation | Planning, Urban Design & Sustainability to discuss implementation of the City’s Tenant Relocation and Protection Policy developed in conjunction with its Broadway Plan and Housing Vancouver 10 Year Housing Targets. Meeting time pending.
Council representatives attended United Way BC webinar Making Rental Housing Affordable for Seniors and People with Low-Incomes and benefit from summaries of data and research in its two Fact Sheets – Key Messages and Defining the Problem and Finding Solutions.
August 2024
Council representatives met with Brenda Bailey, MLA and candidate for a new Vancouver-South Granville riding to discuss issues in the WSH Briefing Note on Seniors Housing and potential actions.
Council representatives met with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) Medical Health Officer (Housing), ED Population Health, and the Lead for Seniors’ Healthy Public Policy to discuss their roles and current involvement in seniors’ housing issues relevant to WSH Briefing Note on Seniors Housing.
Council prepared a Briefing Note on Seniors Housing summarizing concerns about senior tenants being negatively impacted by developments in the Vancouver housing market and the actions and support needed
for this vulnerable population.
Council representatives met the BC Housing’s Assoc. VP Supportive Housing & Homelessness, Operations Division to discuss potential short-term shelter spaces in Chalmers Lodge and other supportive housing operated by BCH. Advocated for westside seniors experiencing housing precarity to remain in their neighbourhoods while seeking more stable housing.
July 2024
Council representatives contributed to City's Older Persons and Elders Advisory Committee (OPEAC) Housing Subcommittee drafts of Motions to City Council regarding the need for senior-specific shelters and transparency regarding implementation of the Broadway Plan's Enhanced Tenant Relocation & Protection Policy.
Encouraged WSH Partners to advocate with City of Vancouver Councillors for adoption of the Seniors Housing Strategy.
June 2024
Council members began attending monthly OPEAC Housing Subcommittee meetings as guests to become familiar with their community partners and contribute to their action plans.
Representatives from a dozen WSH Partner organizations met at a quarterly Partners’ meeting to discuss five Seniors’ Housing Issues for Action: Follow-up to 2024 Q1 Partners’ Meeting.
Council member attended 411 Housing Forum to liaise with other local housing advocates.
May 2024
Council members explored Seniors Services Society of BC’s (SSSBC’s) Seniors Housing Information & Navigation Ease (SHINE) program with WESN’s Housing Navigator. Recruited a volunteer to participate in SHINE’s four online training sessions.
April 2024
The City of Vancouver’s Draft Seniors’ Housing Strategy was released for public feedback. Public and WSH Partners invited to participate in submitting comments by May 16th.
March 2024
Council prepared a resource list:
Housing Resources Referenced at Quarterly Housing meeting
Brief summary: Seniors Housing Issues for Action: Follow-up to 2024 Q1 Partners’ Meeting
February 21, 2024
Representatives from a dozen WSH Partner organizations met at a Quarterly Partners’ meeting to discuss seniors’ housing affordability.
They were joined by guests from the City of Vancouver, City’s Older Persons & Elders Advisory Committee, Healthy Aging United Way BC, Hey Neighbour Collective & SFU Housing Solutions Lab, Premier’s Legislative Office, Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House, and South Vancouver Seniors Network.
Presentations at Quarterly meeting:
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Healthy Aging UWBC presentation by Dr. Laura Kadowaki and Dr. Beverley Pitman
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City of Vancouver Older Persons & Elders Advisory Committee (OPEAC) by Dr. Marc White
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SFU Housing Solutions Lab Exploring Housing Options for Older Adults Design concepts by Michelle Hoar
February 2024
Council prepared some briefing materials to inform WSH Partners:
Selected Housing Navigation Supports & Trainings
and
Entire UWBC Healthy Aging report Aging in Uncertainty
and
City of Vancouver Seniors’ Housing Strategy: What We Heard report (July 2023)
January 2024
A questionnaire circulated by WSH Council to its Partner Organizations produced:A Snapshot: What Partner Organizations are Seeing, Hearing and Doing.
Fall 2023
Survey of Hub Partner Organizations identified top priority issues of concern: Housing, Food Security, Phase 2 Dementia Ventures, Caregiver Support, Emergency Preparedness.