Editor:
Re: “Proponent quizzed on hilltop seniors’ facility,” Oct. 23.
Pat De Luca addressed a small audience of seniors informing them of his plans for a 106-unit seniors’ facility in Sechelt.
While there is a need for such a facility, it would seem that his plans will not accommodate many of the “needy seniors” in our community, at a rent of $2,000 to $3,000 per month. It was not clear if this was per person or simply per unit, as there cannot be many who can afford that much. Both Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Old Age Security (OAS) incomes, for individuals, rarely add up to as much as $1,500 per month, so what is available for other necessary expenses, such as medications, dental care and transportation?
It is necessary to provide accommodation for the elderly, especially those who are single and unable to care for themselves, but it has to be “affordable” and therefore subsidized. Not all seniors are owners of their own homes and can utilize the funds from the sale of same for their ongoing housing needs.
It would be interesting to get opinions/ideas from our municipal and provincial governments on this matter.
R. Meyer, Sechelt
