WHEREAS the lack of appropriate housing solutions makes it difficult for many seniors and others with special needs to age in place, and communities require financial assistance to ensure suitable housing and support services are available to their citizens; AND WHEREAS the provincial and federal governments have supported affordable housing initiatives in the past: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of BC Municipalities urge the federal and provincial governments to make new monies available to address the need for affordable, seniors-appropriate housing and support services across the province.
Ministry of Forests and Range Since June 2001, the provincial government has committed funding for the construction of over 4,600 new units of subsidized housing through the Provincial Housing Program and the Community Partnerships Initiative. The government is focusing on providing assistance to those in greatest need. This includes frail seniors, people with physical and mental disabilities, families who have experienced violence and those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Our aim is to give priority to those individuals or families with special housing needs, who cannot be adequately served by the private rental market. The provincial government welcomes the contributions the federal government is making to affordable housing through the two Affordable Housing Agreements signed with British Columbia in 2001 and 2004 and the allocation of 1.6 billion for housing in the 2005 federal budget. The provincial government has contributed 130.7 million to match the federal contribution under the two agreements, and the combined contributions are being used to develop a continuum of affordable housing with support services. In addition, the province has increased funding for housing programs to nearly 172 million for the 20052006 fiscal year, the largest annual level ever in BC. The federal government, provinces and territories are currently involved in discussions to develop a framework and principles to guide initiatives to address the need for long-term sustainable improvements to housing in Canada. Through the development of a provincial housing strategy, the provincial government is taking a comprehensive approach to meeting the housing needs of British Columbians. We are working to help ensure appropriate housing solutions are available for vulnerable households in greatest need, while also reviewing ways to improve market housing affordability overall.
MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCES AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT Conservative Government Resolution B50 deals with housing for older people in British Columbia. Though the Affordable Housing Initiative AHI, federal funding is being provided for social housing for senior citizens, as well as funding for Independent Living BC, which supports the creation of supportive housing for older British Columbians. Housing strategies should seek to maintain the existing affordable housing stock, in addition to creating new units. In this regard, I am pleased to advise that funding for the Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program and several related housing renovation and adaptation programs has been renewed for 20062007, effective April 1, 2006. The program extension will cost 128.1 million. British Columbias share is approximately 13.8 million. In 20052006, it is estimated that 3,390 housing units for low-income households will have been repaired, adapted or created through the suite of federal housing renovation programs, which has been a mainstay of Canadas housing policy since the 1970s. This includes Home Adaptations for Seniors Independence HASI, which provides grants for home adaptations to help older people live independently in their current homes and communities. These initiatives are in addition to ongoing federal support for over 74,150 social housing units in British Columbia. In 20042005, the Government of Canada spent 239.9 million on housing in British Columbia, most of which supported existing social housing. I appreciate the funding and delivery role that Canadian municipalities have traditionally played in housing.