BC HOUSING MANAGEMENT COMMISSION -

- administers Non-Profit Housing Program which is sponsored by federal and provincial governments - assists non-profit organizations in provision of modest housing for needy families, senior citizens, older singles and disabled persons - if sponsor/society owns the development site, and either seeks fair market value for use, or must acquire title to the site from a third party, the provincial government will purchase the property and lease it back to sponsor/society for a 60 year period

- sponsors include non-profit housing society, non-profit housing cooperative, and public housing agency - BCHMC reserves the right to place up to 50% of the tenants in projects developed under this program rents are limited to 30% of tenant’s household income with both governments subsidizing difference between rent paid and actual operating cost of project - to be eligible, tenants must be in “core housing need” which is defined by a range of income limits depending on household size - income limits are adjusted annually - persons age 55 and over, the disabled and single people over 45 - Wheelchair Housing Registry information and referral service for those requiring wheelchair accessible housing

290 Nanaimo Avenue W, Penticton, BC 493-0301
Toll Free 1-800-834-7149
Ste. 1701-4330 Kingsway, Burnaby, BC V5H 4S9
Toll Free 1-800-257-7756

CANADA MORTGAGE & HOUSING CORP.
Delivers programs for federal government including:
- on-going financial support for over 70,000 assisted housing units in BC, including senior citizen projects and co-ops - financial assistance to enable development of new projects by non-profit societies and co-ops - forgivable loans to enable lower income homeowners to rehabilitate their home to meet disability needs - loan insurance to assist homeowners and landlords obtain mortgage financing
103-1708 Dolphin, Kelowna, BC V1Y 9S4
712-4333
Vancouver Toll Free 1-800-639-3938

INDEPENDENT LIVING BC
Independent Living BC is the new name for the former Supportive Living BC program. The program was renamed to better reflect the range of housing and support services available for seniors with low to moderate incomes and people with disabilities. Independent Living BC will create 3,500 new homes encompassing two types of housing: independent housing with some support services, and assisted living for those who need a greater level of care. Independent living offers a middle option to bridge the gap between home care and institutional care. All units are expected to be in place by 2006.

CONGREGATE CARE / RETIREMENT HOMES
These terms refer to living arrangements for seniors who have some degree of support service requirement
- residents have own self-contained unit with call system connecting them to administration centre - units may be studio, one or two bedroom apartments - range of support services available - residents come together at least once a day for a meal - fees for service are incorporated into monthly rent or charged individually
CO-OPERATIVE HOUSING (Central Okanagan)
Housing co-operatives are incorporated, non-profit business organized by people who have joined together to provide their own housing through joint ownership.
- member-controlled with members owning share of total project - not individual units - each member has one vote in operation of the co-op - instead of rent, members pay a monthly housing charge to cover cost of mortgage, taxes and all operating expenses - housing charges rise only as costs increase - members manage and maintain the project - housing security at reasonable cost - live and socialize in community-type setting
- most co-ops require members to pay minimal membership deposit upon joining, which is refunded when the member leaves the co-op.
13-2421 Last Road, Westbank, BC V1X 4K4
768-3060
AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY SOCIETIES
211-800 McBride Boulevard, New Westminster, BC V3L 2B8
521-0818

HOMEOWNER - ACTING AS OWN CONTRACTOR
If you hire people to work in or around your home, you may need to register with the Workers’ Compensation Board. Workers’ Compensation Board of BC has some advice for any homeowner who is about to act as own contractor.
- homeowner could be liable for cost of WCB coverage on your project - ensure sub-trades are registered with WCB - get a letter of clearance from WCB concerning contractor’s status
PO Box 5350, Vancouver, BC V6B 5L5
1-800-621-7233

HOME SUPPORT SERVICES
- after assessment, Continuing Care Program may provide some home support help - home support services may be purchased privately
See listings in Advertisers’ Business Resources Index and under Home Support Services in Health Resources.

 ur goal is to represent the interests of the thousands of manufactured home owners living in the Okanagan. There are many issues facing us, from public acceptance of manufactured homes, to the rights of home owners when parks are redeveloped. We want to involve everyone in the process, from manufacturers to home owners, to provide a forum for an exchange of ideas on the issues and challenges facing this important segment of the housing market.

seen  http://www.omhoa.ca/ 

NON-PROFIT SENIORS HOUSING
SUBSIDIZED HOUSING (Independent Living)
- non-profit seniors housing developments are sponsored by government or various church and service groups - funded by Federal and Provincial governments
Because developments have been built at different times and under different sponsorship, criteria for admission, (i.e. age, residency), may differ from project to project.
The units are small self-contained apartments. Older
projects provide bachelor accommodation for single people and one bedroom units for couples. Newer projects, built in past two years, are all one bedroom.
TO QUALIFY YOU MUST BE:
- on limited income - limits vary from region to region - age 55 or more - have lived in BC for minimum of one year
TO APPLY - you do not have to be member of sponsoring society - contact the building you are interested in - you will be required to report all annual income - your name will be put on waiting list until vacancy occurs - while waiting you may be eligible to reduce your monthly rental cost under the SAFER program
GENERAL INFORMATION:
- rent is maximum of 30% income - most projects have wheelchair accessible units - most projects do not provide any special services; they are like any other apartment building, except that most have a lounge for social gatherings

BCHMC SUBSIDIZED HOUSING
- (Independent Living)
In this first section of Subsidized Housing
- Independent Living, the buildings directly administered through British Columbia Housing Management Commission (BCHMC) are listed. Single’ seniors will ONLY be eligible for bachelor units in those buildings in which there are designated bachelor units listed. In addition, in these buildings one-bedroom units will be offered to senior ‘couples’ and if there are no 'couples' in high need, preference will be given to physically disabled senior applicants.
To apply contact:
BC HOUSING MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
290 Nanaimo Avenue W, Penticton, BC
493-0310
Toll Free 1-800-834-7149

OK VALLEY STRATA OWNERS ASSOCIATION
An association of strata (condo) owners for strata owners, managed by strata owners
PO Box 1603 Stn A., Kelowna 770-8988
Penticton
770-8988

KELOWNA

ABBEYFIELD ORCHARD CITY SOCIETY
- offering care and companionship for lonely elderly.
1531 Bernard Ave., Kelowna V1Y 6R8 763-5254

COUNTRY LIVING ESTATES
- Seniors sheltered housing (subsidized) - for independent seniors - private small bedroom - share bathroom - common eating area - accommodates 8 people
1160 Band Road, RR5, Hwy 33, Kelowna, BC V1X 4K4
Contact: Linda Monti 765-6223

EVANGEL APARTMENTS
- subsidized Senior Citizen apartments - 42 units
1439 Bertram Street, Kelowna, BC V1Y 2G3
762-6225

FATHER DELESTRE SENIOR CITIZENS HOUSING SOCIETY
- Senior Citizens apartments - 80 units - project of Knights of Columbus & under BC Housing Management Commission
720 Houghton Road, Kelowna, BC V1Y 6E4
860-1128

KIWANIS TOWERS
- low cost rental apartments for seniors 55 years and over living on fixed incomes - operated by Central Okanagan Kiwanis Community Service Society, BCHMC
1110 Lawrence Avenue, Kelowna, BC V1Y 6M4
763-2660

OKANAGAN MANOR
- low cost rental apartments for seniors - 50 yrs. & over living on fixed income - 26 units - operated by Seventh Day Adventist Church, BCHMC - communal lounge & laundry - shuffleboard - card games -Monday - Birthday Party once a month - pancake breakfast twice a year under trees - small garden area available to each tenant
845 Jones Street, Kelowna, BC V1Y 2S6
Contact: Norm 862-9518

THE BURTCHES
- 40 units complex - subsidized - operated by Orchard Valley Sr Housing Society BCHMC
1620 Burtch Road, Kelowna, BC V1Y 9A9
861-5221

WESTBANK 

WESTBANK LIONS SENIORS’ HOUSING SOCIETY
- 40 unit s consisting of 3 handicapped suites - 5 double occupancy suites 32 single units
Free services: - laundry facilities located on each floor - paved parking - zero maintenance - two common lounge areas - elevator to all floors easy access for physically challenged - intercom security - handiDART available upon request - cable television hook up available - government subsidized housing
Administrative Office:
209-3715 Gellatly Road, Westbank, BC V4T 1W8
Contact: Hester Thompson 768-3178

KEREMEOS

MOUNTAIN VIEW MANOR (BCHMC)
412-12th Avenue, Keremeos
S5 C1 RR1, Keremeos V0X 1N0
499-2984

OKANAGAN FALLS

SHUTTLEWORTH PLACE
Birch Street, Okanagan Falls, BC V0H 1R0

OK FALLS HOUSING & RECREATION SOC.
Box 202, OK Falls, BC V0H 1R0

OLIVER

KIWANIS MANOR 348th Ave. & 99th St., Oliver, BC V0H 1T0

OLIVER KIWANIS SR. CITIZENS SOCIETY
Box 1466, Oliver, BC V0H 1T0

OSOYOOS

ELKS GOLDEN VILLA
5 Jonagold Place, Osoyoos, BC V0H 1V0
495-6666

PENTICTON

ABBOTT TOWER
90 Abbott Street, Penticton, BC V2A 7W8
492-8535

KIWANIS SENIOR CITIZENS HOUSING SOC.
360 Brunswick Street, Penticton, BC V2A 5R1
Contact: Brian Elwin 493-8901

SUMMERLAND

KIWANIS SENIOR CITIZENS HOUSING SOC.
Box 370 Summerland, BC V0H 1Z0

SENIORS RECREATION & WELLNESS CENTRE
Membership open to retired persons and/or 55 years or over. Features: - flea market - senior peer counseling
- noon meal - snooker - card games - sports & games - tai chi - dancing - exercise classes - singing - special events - bingo - drama club - walking group - craft classes - caregiver support - grief support - drop-in - computer club - meals to go - support groups & services - senior citizen counselor - Coffee 9-11am & 2:30pm - Gift Shop 1-4pm - Tour Centre Wednesday 1:30pm - a choice of facilities to meet your special event needs
439 Winnipeg Street, Penticton, BC V2A 6P5
487-7455

TRINITY CENTER
- Intermediate care facility, operated by Okanagan Similkameen Health Region - 75 day and respite beds, operated within the Long Term Care Program of Ministry of Health - Drop in respite care Mon. - Fri. 8:00am to 6:30pm
75 Green Avenue W, Penticton V2A 7N6
Lynne Napper/administrator
493-6601

VERNON

CONGREGATE, VERNON & AREA
VERNON RESTHOLM
- independent care facility - 49 rooms
3506-30th Avenue, Vernon, BC V1T 2E4
542-7636

PIONEER PLACE
Box 472 Stanley Avenue, Enderby, BC V0E 1V0
838-0372

SADDLE MOUNTAIN SENIORS’ COMPLEX
1751 Glenaird Street, Box 565 Lumby, BC V0E 2G0
Judy Gibbs 547-9666

O.C.P.C.S. COLUMBUS COURT
- 36 rooms
403-3003 Gateby Place, Vernon, BC V1T 8V8
Manager: Lionel Hoffman 545-5388

KIWANIS VILLAGE
- 57 apartments
1507-35th Avenue, Vernon, BC V1T 2R7
542-8923

McCULLOCH COURT
- 113 apartments
3400 Coldstream Avenue, Vernon, BC V1T 8B5
542-1154

SHARON COURT
- 27 apartments
3900 24th Avenue, Vernon, BC V1T 1M2
542-1154

UKRAINIAN VILLAGE
- 74 suites
3502-27th Avenue, Vernon, BC V1T 7A1
545-6475

GLENFAIR APARTMENTS
- low cost rental housing in an independent living situation for seniors.
- two handicap accessible suites.
1100 Glenfair Drive, Kamloops, BC V2C 5K3
372-7908

BRAIN INJURY SOCIETY (RESIDENCES)

AVONLEA HOUSE
- specialized care for people with acquired brain injury
- capacity 13
1658 Blondeaux Crescent, Kelowna, BC V1Y 4J7
762-4378

GLENWOOD PLACE
- specialized care for people with brain injury - 6 residential spaces - 2 beds for respite services - inquiries welcome about day respite
643 Glenwood Avenue, Kelowna, BC V1Y 5M3
868-2411

VILLENEUVE HOUSE
- specialized residential facility for brain injured individuals - capacity 6
644 Leguime Road, Kelowna, BC V1W 1A4
764-7897

PROPERTY TAX DEFERRAL
The Land Tax Deferment Program allows qualifying British Columbia homeowners to defer the payment of annual municipal or rural property taxes on their home.
The deferred taxes are paid by the province to the taxing authority (municipality or provincial collector), on behalf of the homeowner. The deferred taxes must be repaid with interest and administration fee to the province, either:
- before their home can be transferred to a new owner, other than to their surviving spouse, or
- upon their death, with repayment through their estate.
Homeowners aged 60 years and over may defer the payment of annual property taxes on their principal residence. The program is also available to homeowners of any age who are widowed spouses, or who meet the definition of a person with disabilities, in the “Disability Benefits Program Act.”
- check with your local Municipal Government

RESIDENTIAL REHABILITATION ASSISTANCE
The program provides low-income homeowners with financial assistance for the repair of their homes. The assistance is prided in the form of a loan. Depending on household income, part of the loan may be forgiven and may not have to be paid back.
- financial assistance is also available for modifications that make homes more accessible for an occupant with disabilities
CANADA MORTGAGE & HOUSING CORP.
RRAP PROGRAM
103-1708 Dolphin Avenue, Kelowna, BC V1Y 9S4
712-4333

RESIDENTIAL TENANCY BRANCH
- administers Residential Tenancy Act - assists landlords and tenants with information regarding obligations and responsibilities under existing legislation - administers dispute resolution process using government appointed arbitrators
201-1726 Dolphin Avenue, Kelowna, BC V1Y 9R9
717-2011
Call toll free 1-800-665-8779

SENIORS SUPPLEMENT - GAIN
- guaranteed income supplement for individuals who qualify with Health and Welfare Canada
Toll Free 1-800-665-2656
Income Security Program 1-800-277-9914

SHELTER AID FOR ELDERLY RENTERS (SAFER )
A provincial government program to provide direct cash assistance to eligible BC residents age 60+ who live in rental accommodations. To qualify you must be:
- applicant or spouse 65 or over and receiving Canadian Old Age Security, or age 60-64 (Canadian citizen or landed immigrant) and have resided in Canada for 10 continuous years as an adult - applicant or spouse BC resident for one year immediately prior to application - paying more than 30% of total income for rent - application forms and assistance with completing forms also available through local MSS offices
BCHMC
4328 Kingsway Avenue, Burnaby, BC 1-800-257-7756