To address the growing need for supportive care for seniors,
Boundary-Similkameen MLA Linda Larson has announced that the Province
of B.C. has signed a three-year agreement with the Desert Valley
Hospice Society to help develop a hospice centre in Osoyoos.
As of Sept. 1, 2014, the Province is providing the society with the use
of a building, owned by the B.C. government, at 22 Jonagold Place (shown above). The
Province will also deliver funding support for operating costs,
including building maintenance, property taxes and utilities.
The Desert Valley Hospice Society will use the space to plan and build
capacity for a community-based hospice. The society is a charitable
organization committed to end-of-life care for residents in Oliver and
Osoyoos.
Quotes:
Linda Larson, MLA for Boundary-Similkameen –
“Community-led initiatives and non-profit societies are the foundation
of our supportive housing sector. The great work that the Desert Valley
Hospice Society is doing will lead to more options for families in our
Southern Okanagan communities who need supportive care and hospice
accommodations.”
Janet Shaw, Desert Valley Hospice Society –
“Desert Valley Hospice Society is very pleased to have the opportunity
to create a supportive care centre with the generous assistance of BC
Housing and the Government of B.C. This will enable the society to have
a home from which to operate as we work to achieve our vision to
support excellence in the delivery of hospice palliative and end-of-
life care.”
Quick Facts:
* The Province will provide over $37,000 in annual funding toward the
operation of the resource development space.
* Approximately $35,000 per year in operating costs, including building
maintenance, property taxes, and utilities also will be provided by the
provincial government.
* The Province has committed an additional $50,000 to ensure the
building is ready for the society to occupy.
* Since 2001, the B.C. government has created more than 11,000 new
supportive and independent social housing units for seniors and people
with special needs.
* Last year, the Province invested over $340,000 in Osoyoos to provide
subsidized housing and rent supplements for more than 130 households,
including over 110 senior households.