Residents at Smithfield Lodge had a guest from the provincial government Aug. 9 when Minister of Seniors and Housing Lori Sigurdson stopped in to hear their concerns, serve them breakfast and draw attention to some of Homeland Housing’s new potential initiatives.
Although she had no new funding announcements for the visit, she emphasized the Alberta government had increased funding by $1.2 billion for affordable seniors housing across the province.
“I’m so pleased to come to Westlock today to hear directly from seniors how things are going for them and what they’re experiencing,” she said. “They built this province and we want to make sure they can retire in dignity with the services and supports they need. It’s always so important to see things first hand and have your own assessment.”
Pointing out that the province had over 40 projects on the go as part of a five-year capital plan, Sigurdson said there was no shortage of work to be completed by the government.
“When we came into government we inherited an infrastructure deficit in terms of affordable housing,” she said. “That includes a billion dollar deficit in repairs that are needed that were just neglected over the years. We’re making a significant investment. We know more is needed, but we’re certainly moving in the right direction.”
Though most residents exchanged simple pleasantries, Sigurdson said she had heard a few interesting quips as well.
“One fellow did say he wanted to talk to me about a wildfire strategy, but pretty much people are really pleased with how they’re being supported at Smithfield Lodge.”
The minister’s presence was well received among the residents, said Homeland Housing assistant executive director Jim Fowler.
“I know Lori Sigurdson likes to connect with residents,” he said. “It shows how engaged the office of the Seniors ministry is. I think it’s a wonderful thing. Our residents really appreciate it when the minister pays a personal visit.”
Fowler noted that while the ministry itself was staying the course on its seniors housing plans, Homeland Housing was looking towards a few new pet projects, including permitting some of its facilities to allow pets and opening the door to include a pre-school class at Chateau Sturgeon Lodge in Legal.
“(Allowing pets) is something that we’re considering but it’s not 100 per cent confirmed yet,” he said. “We’ve asked a number of questions to our residents pertaining to pet ownership. Our board is in huge support of it and has asked us to make it a priority for 2017. The lodges are not in favour of it currently, but in our self-contained apartment buildings there is a growing support for it.”
He added that if Homeland Housing decided to include pets in some of its facilities, it would run on a one-year trial before any permanent decisions were made.
The pre-school class will run as a pilot program in the fall. Fowler added that bringing seniors and preschoolers together was a growing trend in the seniors housing world.
“They have a need in Legal because they lost their space, so we’re helping them with that,” he said. “We’re integrating some programming between seniors and children. The benefits to both parties are well documented and proven.”
Much like with pets, Homeland Housing is surveying its residents to determine if there is an appetite for more intergenerational programming.
“I can tell you that support for that kind of initiative is quite positive,” Fowler said, adding the class would run for two to three days a week from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.
He noted that the students would still be in a full classroom setting and senior’s participation in the program was optional.
