Why We Started a Seniors Housing Co-op

A group of individuals from the Castlegar, BC area came together in 2002 to address concerns for the future: their adult (55+) years.

 

These are some of the situations they were concerned with:

  • The increasing numbers of seniors in the West Kootenay region - from 12% to 25% in the past few years, and still increasing
  • The increasing lengths of 'wait' lists for access to existing care facilities - 200+ in 2005
  • The recent decrease and cuts in government funding for senior's housing and health care
  • The cost of care in many facilities is beyond the means of the residents and their families
  • Care facilities are often located many miles (km) from friends and family

 

What We Envision

These are some statements agreed on by our members to describe our identity, vision, and mission:

 

Who We Are
The Kootenay Columbia Seniors Housing Cooperative (KCSHC) is a Not-For-Profit Housing Development catering to seniors seeking to live the rest of their lives in a self-governed community.

 

Our Vision
Seniors living for life in a cooperative, supportive housing community.

 

Our Mission Statement
Our mission is to satisfy the needs of each individual member by creating homes where they will live independently and by establishing a campus-style health facility where our members may choose to live in an environment which sustains quality living.

 

The cooperative will use prudent business practices to ensure our members receive the best possible housing and quality care services for the best possible price within a Life Lease Ownership model"

 

Spirit of Community

As the project got underway, the enthusiasm and vision of the members was exceptional. Please see the Member Testimonials section to read their expressions of this enthusiasm for the project.

 

The Spirit of Community page includes some stories about the ongoing community spirit and support we experience as members of our co-op family.

 

Our Vision Becomes a Reality

A project with three options is now underway to make this vision a reality. For more information about the progress we've made in implementing these three branches of the project please see:

 

If you are interested in any of these options, please make an appointment to discuss this with one of the following:

  • Irene Evanoff (250-304-6977)
  • Harry Jukes (250 365-6753)
  • Elmer Verigin (250 304-2801)

 

A brief history of the project

  • The Kootenay Columbia Senior's Housing Cooperative was incorporated on September 22, 2005
  • A 60 acre parcel of land within the Castlegar City limits, was located and final payment made for it on May 12, 2006 Arrangements were made with an architectural firm to draw up a possible site plan for the project.
  • Geo Tech reports and traffic reports were commissioned, carried out, and approved.
  • Members and the Public were invited to loan the Cooperative $60,000 for future choice of residential lots within the 40 acres, but outside the complex area itself
  • On June 30, 2006 a billboard was erected to help advertise the project.  This was well covered by the Castlegar News.
  • During the last days of July and the early part of August in 2006, the roads which will go through the complex were brushed out
  • September 16th, 2006, saw the first group of members selecting building sites for their future homes
  • Construction of the first Ground Floor Life Lease units was begun on April 2, 2008,
  • Occupation of the first units on schedule in the Spring 2009
  • Construction of the second phase of Ground Floor Life Lease units began in the Summer 2009

 

For more current information, please see What's New and Elmer's Updates