News Release
November 9.2007

$3.5 Million for Affordable Seniors' Housing in Port Coquitlam

PORT COQUITLAM – Federal, provincial and community partners gathered today to celebrate both the official opening of Hawthorne Assisted Living’s 70 apartments for seniors and the completion of Port Coquitlam’s first campus of care. 

“The Government of Canada is delivering on our commitment to create affordable housing in British Columbia, and in the Tri-Cities with a contribution of $3.5 million towards this project in Port Coquitlam” said James Moore, Member of Parliament for Port Moody – Westwood – Port Coquitlam.  “Hawthorne Assisted Living will give seniors in North Vancouver the opportunity to stay in their community close to family and friends and receive the care and support they need.” 

The campus of care also includes 56 cottage-style dementia care beds, 75 residential care beds and an adult day program, all of which allow residents to continue to live on the site as their care needs change. 

“When three levels of government work together on projects such as this one, the result is affordable housing and care options for B.C.’s communities,” said Harry Bloy, MLA for Burquitlam. “Many seniors in Port Coquitlam have lived in this community for a significant part of their lives. They have family, friends and neighbours here, and these new homes will ensure they have the opportunity to stay close to their loved ones.”  

Assisted living units are self-contained apartments where residents receive hospitality and personal care services, such as meals, housekeeping and laundry services, recreational opportunities, assistance with medications, mobility and other care needs, as well as a 24-hour response system. 

“Hawthorne Assisted Living will allow seniors to live as they would prefer, independently in a safe, home-like environment with personalized support in their own community as long as possible,” said Keith McBain, director of assisted living for Fraser Health. “This development will allow Fraser Health to keep increasing the continuum of housing and care options offered to seniors in Port Coquitlam.”  

“As a society concerned with the housing and care needs of seniors in Port Coquitlam, today’s opening is an exciting landmark event,” said Walter Van Drimmelen, board chair of the Port Coquitlam Senior Citizens’ Housing Society. “As seniors’ care needs change, they will need options, and with this campus of care, they can now rest assured that we are responding to these changes.”

These new units are part of the British Columbia government’s commitment to provide 5,000 net-new residential care beds, assisted living units, and supportive housing with home support units by the end of 2008. To date, 8,839 new and replacement beds and units have been built, including 3,411 net-new beds.  

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. The Province’s budget for shelters and affordable housing is $328 million – nearly triple what it was in 2001.  

The Government of Canada, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, will contribute more than $130 million by 2010 towards affordable housing in this province. The provincial government will provide a minimum of $34 million annually to subsidize the cost of units built under the Canada-BC Affordable Housing Agreement, as part of a larger strategy to provide a range of housing options for British Columbians in greatest need.  

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For more information, email moorej0@parl.gc.ca or call 613.992.9650