Older adults in parts of northeast B.C. are set to benefit from new provincial funding aimed at improving housing, accessibility and community supports.
The province says $500,000 in Age-friendly Communities grants will be distributed across 26 communities this year, including rural and remote areas such as the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality.
Officials say the funding is intended to help older adults remain independent and connected within their communities, through initiatives focused on housing, transportation, and community programming.
The Northern Rockies Regional Municipality will receive $25,000 to develop a seniors housing assessment and action plan, aimed at guiding future decisions on housing options for older adults.
According to the province, projects funded through the program range from long-term planning to on-the-ground initiatives. Fifteen grants are being issued for planning work, while 11 will support projects already identified as community priorities.
“Funding plans and projects that focus on issues like health and wellness programming, emergency preparedness and climate resiliency means older adults are able to continue to live independently,” said Susie Chant, parliamentary secretary for seniors’ services and long-term care.
The program is also seeing increased participation from Indigenous communities, with 10 communities receiving funding this year, the highest number to date.
Advocates say programs like this are becoming increasingly important as B.C.’s population continues to age. The province estimates that by 2041, more than 20 per cent of residents will be aged 65 or older
Projects funded through this year’s grants are expected to begin in July and run through June 2027.
The Age-friendly Communities program is delivered by BC Healthy Communities and is aimed at helping municipalities identify gaps and improve services to better support seniors and Elders.