B.C. seniors face long waits for housing amid affordability crisis
A Musqueam elder who welcomed CTV News into his deteriorating home in late April has yet to move, saying he hasn’t been given options for a place to go that are adequate.
Over the last month, Dunstan Campbell has been searching for a home accommodating his declining health. The 77-year-old struggles to walk and says he has a skin condition that requires daily attention.
Soon after he shared his story, he was offered a room in North Vancouver, but Campbell says it was temporary and came with several roommates. On Thursday, he planned on moving into another unit off reserve, but it wasn't suitable for his declining health.
"I want to move anywhere. I don't care what it is, but as long as it suits my need and health. Period," said Campbell.
The Musuqam First Nation wouldn't name Campbell directly but released a statement saying they have identified several areas of need for "the elder"; personal health and well-being, immediate housing, and state of home and property ownership.
The letter went on to say that since September, they have been in constant communication with "the elder" and have tried to help.
"Between September 2022 and May 2023, Musqueam's social worker secured and offered four viable housing options for this individual," the letter said.
This list included several off-reserve housing options, which include BC Housing, the Hollyburn Society housing program, temporary subsidized housing and staying with family members. Musqueam says he declined all options.
"Our housing department offered to secure funding for roof and flooring repairs and mould remediation, which was initially declined but is now being pursued following several meetings and agreement with the Elder," the letter read.
In the meantime, Campbell is still living in the home, and his health is not improving. He is hoping he can find a place that fits his needs and wants to remain near family and friends, but the options are limited.
According to BC Housing 29,439 households have applied for subsidized housing and are now waiting. Of those, 11,553 are households with people over the age of 55.
"We recognize that the housing affordability crisis is affecting everyone, including seniors. We have seen an increase in the number of households submitting applications to the Housing Registry, waiting for an affordable unit to become available within their preferred location," BC Housing wrote in an email.
B.C.'s Seniors Advocate, Isobel Mackenzie, says many seniors in the province are facing precarious financial circumstances, and with the rising cost of living, the chances of ending up on the streets are rising for some.
"Their ability to pay the $1800 to $2,200 a month rent for a one bedroom, it is simply not possible," said Mackenzie.
"The numbers that I've seen show that the fastest growing age cohort of homelessness is older people."
The BC Non-Profit Housing Association says in 2016, 54 percent of BC seniors were paying unaffordable rent, and they expect that number has grown.
The lack of affordability has led many seniors to scramble to make ends meet, and unexpected expenses could be devastating, said Marika Albert, the policy director for the non-profit.
"The number of seniors experiencing homelessness is on the rise," said Albert.
"In 2021, across the province, it was around 21 percent of all experiencing homelessness were seniors."
Seniors First BC reported on Thursday that eight percent of their yearly calls are for housing issues.
Nighat Afsar, a legal advocate, told CTV News that over the last year, she had assisted over 300 seniors regarding housing, including walking them through the legality of evictions and residential tenancy issues.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Police investigating shooting outside of Drake's Bridle Path mansion: source
Toronto police are investigating a shooting that took place outside of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion early Tuesday morning, a source tells CP24.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
Your body needs these three forms of movement every week
Movement is movement, right? Not exactly. Here’s what your body is looking for in addition to your morning walk or yoga session, according to experts.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.
Noelia Voigt resigns as Miss USA, citing her mental health
Noelia Voigt, who was crowned Miss USA in November 2023, has announced she is resigning from her role, saying the decision is in the best interest of her mental health.
Highlights from the 2024 Met Gala exhibit: Sleeping Beauty would wake up for these gowns
Sure, she was a royal princess and all. But there’s no way Sleeping Beauty — either before or after her nap — ever had quite the fabulous wardrobe that’s been assembled at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Stormy Daniels is expected to appear at Trump's hush money trial on Tuesday
Donald Trump returns to the hush money trial Tuesday facing a threat of jail time for additional gag order violations as prosecutors gear up to summon big-name witnesses including porn actor Stormy Daniels.