A new affordable apartment complex in Prince George has officially opened its doors.
Ts’oo Yoh, which means House of Spruce, is being operated by the Aboriginal Housing Society of Prince George and holds 27 one-bedroom units for low- to moderate-income Elders and seniors. Each room is similar in style and has accessibility features including wide doorways, low countertops, and wheel-in showers with grab bars.
“[The safety features are] incredibly important so that people who do need assistance or are in a wheelchair, for example, are able to have those kinds of features to make living comfortable,” explains Aboriginal Housing Society of PG Executive Director Christos Vardacostas.
.@Lynhallpg “This building sets a new standard for our community with regards to landscaping that features outdoor amenities, and fosters interactions among residents.” #CityofPG @mypgnow pic.twitter.com/DaDE8n4HRx
— Matt Fetinko (@mattfetinko) July 9, 2018
Currently, there are 11 occupants with applications still being accepted. Vardacostas believes the demand is so strong that a waitlist will soon be drawn up for applicants.
“In the next few weeks, we will be in a waiting list mode. We are pretty well there for August already so the building is pretty well full, but I still encourage people to apply because we need to know where we stand and we have intentions for more development and we really need to be able to continue to collect information and data on what the needs are in Prince George right now.”
Assistants for Elders and seniors living at Ts’oo Yoh is something Vardacostas says they have thought about exploring based on the initial group of tenants.
Rental rates are from $667 to $765 per month.
“That [price] range for a one-bedroom, a couple of years ago that would’ve been market rate but today the market rate for a place like that is more like $900 to $950 [per month],” continues Vardacostas.
“We are well below that market-level and it’s reflecting the fact that there is a need.”
Preview of what a room at Ts’oo Yoh looks like. #CityofPG @mypgnow pic.twitter.com/Hh5SoN4fRI
— Matt Fetinko (@mattfetinko) July 9, 2018
This accommodation is part of the provincial government’s seven billion dollar plan over ten years to address affordable housing in BC, as announced in the 2018 budget.
“[Seniors] tend to have a fixed income and as rents go up it becomes harder for them but we also know that Indigenous people are overrepresented in the homeless population,” explains Housing Minister Selina Robinson, who would not offer any insight towards other projects in northern BC.
“All of British Columbia is struggling with an affordable housing crisis and we are working in every single corner of the province to make sure we have affordable housing wherever it is that people call home.”
Starting September 1st, 2018, over 17,000 low-income seniors will have their rent supplements increase by an average of $930 per year and 700 new senior households will become eligible for the Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters program.
.@selinarobinson helps officially open Ts’oo Yoh apartment complex; affordable housing with 27 one bedroom units #CityofPG #bcpoli @mypgnow pic.twitter.com/rJ9DBcHgji
— Matt Fetinko (@mattfetinko) July 9, 2018
Something going on in the Prince George area you think people should know about?
Send us a news tip by emailing [email protected].
