GOOD SAMARITAN CANADA HERON GROVE

News Release Nov 16

Federal, provincial, and community partners gathered today to celebrate a new $9.4-million assisted living development, as part of a campus of care for Vernon seniors.

• The Government of Canada is committed to making affordable housing more available in British Columbia and across Canada for those who need it most,” said Colin Mayes, Member of Parliament for Okanagan-Shuswap, on behalf of the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development. “Seniors in Vernon will now have access to quality, affordable housing and the services that meet their specific needs, while remaining close to their families and friends in the community.”
  
• “These units provide more Vernon seniors with quality affordable housing that allows them live as independently as they are able, and to age in place,” said Tom Christensen, MLA for Okanagan-Vernon. “One advantage of a campus of care is that if housing needs change, residents can continue to live at Heron Grove, in the comfort of familiar surroundings.”
• Vernon has a high population of seniors that call this area their home,” said City of Vernon Mayor Wayne Lippert. “Good Samaritan Heron Grove addresses a key need for affordable, appropriate levels of care and housing in our community.”

Good Samaritan Canada Heron Grove, at 4900-20^th Street in Vernon, provides 38 one-bedroom units of assisted living for seniors, 15 life leases and two market rental assisted living units. The complete campus of care also includes six care cottages, with 75 complex care beds funded by Interior Health, on the property completing a campus of care. The three-storey wood-framed assisted living building opened to residents in April 2007.Assisted living tenants pay 70 per cent of their after-tax income for their units and receive hospitality and personal care services, such as meals, housekeeping and laundry, recreational programs, assistance with medications, mobility and other care needs, and a 24-hour response system.

Partners and Funding
The capital cost of this project is $9.4 million, which includes the following contributions:

• The federal government, through CMHC, provided $950,000 as a one-time grant;
• The Province provided a one-time grant of $1.375 million;
• Good Samaritan Canada provided $190,000;
• St. John’s Rest Home Society provided $300,000;
• The City of Vernon waived the development cost charges (valued at $110,663) and approved a property tax exemption for Good Samaritan Canada;
• The remainder of the funding, $5.3 million, is provided in the form of a mortgage through the Province’s operating agreement, plus equity from a life lease of $1.1 million.

With operating costs which include:

• The Province will provide housing subsidies totalling $2.9 million over 35 years;
• Interior Health will provide $806,000 in annual funding for hospitality and personal care services and housing operations related to the assisted living component of the project.

Good Samaritan Canada

Good Samaritan Canada, a Lutheran social service organization, has more than 55 years experience in providing continuing care, assisted living and other specialized health-care services and facilities in an innovative and caring environment. It is one of the largest voluntary health care providers in Canada.