NEWS
WSH INFORMATION BOARD
Vancouver's social housing initiative
City of Vancouver - Shape your City
The City of Vancouver is implementing the Social Housing Initiative as part of its long-term land-use strategy, the Vancouver Plan. This initiative focuses on addressing the need for affordable housing by modifying zoning regulations to enable the construction of mixed-income social, supportive, and cooperative housing without requiring rezoning across various neighbourhoods.
Non-profit and government organizations will be allowed to build social housing buildings that can range from 6 to 18 storeys, depending on the neighbourhood type. The initiative emphasizes development in areas close to transit and commercial centers. Additionally, new projects may include local retail and childcare services alongside social housing.
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Nidus.ca
NIDUS PERSONAL PLANNING RESOURCE CENTRE AND REGISTRY
Nidus is a non-profit that offers a variety of online presentations (webinars), information and documents about legal planning under BC legislation. These cover documents for while you are alive and for after death – e.g.Advance Directives, Disability Trusts, Representation Agreements, Enduring Powers of Attorney, Wills. It explains how to use the Nidus Registry service as a document repository.There are a variety of services offered as funding allows.
2024 Monthly webinar series here
ASK Friendship Society
BUS RENTALS
“9 or 18 passenger buses with experienced driver for 4 – 7 hour rental options. Senior-focused service that is wheelchair accessible, low-step entry, grab rails, 3-point seatbelts but accommodates all ages, children to adults. See website here for full details, pricing and photos.
Contact to book: 604-263-7333 or caring@askcentre.ca
Office of the Seniors Advocate BC
EVERY VOICE COUNTS
“Long-Term Care Resident and Visitor Survey Results 2023…that covered 297 publicly subsidized care facilities in B.C. and received responses from over 10,000 residents and almost 8,000 family members and close friends…Survey results show there has been little improvement in areas such as frequency of bathing, help at mealtimes, meaningful activities, engagement with staff and other residents, and the overall ratings of quality remain relatively unchanged. Despite these shortcomings, residents continue to give high marks to long-term care home staff for their skill, compassion and ability to treat residents with respect.”
Highlights and links to the full report, presentation slides, videos, and more here
United Way BC & Coalition of BC Non-Profit Community-based Seniors Organizations
AGING IN UNCERTAINTY
“Report…spotlights the critical issue of seniors struggling to secure affordable housing in the face of soaring living costs, stagnant government retirement incomes, and a shortage of affordable housing…BC's seniors experience an alarmingly high rate of financial hardship, with 15.2% of seniors considered low income. Shockingly, in 2020, one in four seniors in BC had after-tax incomes below $21,800—almost $10,000 below the minimum wage.”
Find the Report here
Intersectoral collaboration project anchored by the Canadian Red Cross
CANADIAN INSTITUTEFOR SOCIAL PRESCRIBING (CISP)
“CISP is a new national hub to link people and share practices that connect people to community-based supports and services that can help improve their health and well-being… part of a global movement of people bringing community capacity and healthcare services closer together by directly addressing the social determinants of health, from loneliness and social isolation to racism and ageism to income and housing and much more.” Newsletter, events, reports, resources, etc.
Website resources here
Family Caregivers of BC and Nidus BC
LEGAL RESOURCESFOR CAREGIVERS
Estate planning takes care of your assets when you die - a Will and Enduring Power of Attorney, but they do not cover health or personal care.
“If you do not want government (Public Guardian and Trustee of BC) to be involved in your personal and private affairs, you will want to make arrangements in case you need help managing your affairs due to illness, injury, or disability while you are still alive. “Choose those you trust to advocate for you and carry out your wishes, if you need help speaking up for yourself” and prepare a Representation Agreement (RA) and Advance Directive (AD).