Renters at seven Langley City seniors residences operated by the Langley Lions Senior Citizens Housing Society (LLSCHS) will likely soon be paying more for their accommodation because government subsidies for low-income tenants are expiring and the society can’t afford to continue them on its own.
Residents were notified this morning by the society, which said in a letter that government subsidies for the Alder, Birch, Cedar and Dogwood buildings operated by LLSCHS ended in 2013 and the subsidies for the Elm and Fir buildings and Centennial Manor will end next year.
A fact sheet issued by the society said it has been using its own money to replace the eliminated subsidies, but “this can’t continue, as the Society’s funds are needed for the ongoing costs of operating, maintaining and eventually replacing our aging buildings.”
The society intends to have eligible residents switch to the provincial Shelter Aid For Elderly Renters (SAFER), where tenants pay the full amount and get a portion of the rent reimbursed.
Staff will help tenants prepare their applications, the notice said.
Most tenants will qualify, the society said, and those who don’t will get an internal subsidy.
The society is also changing the rule that applies subsidies to ensure renters don’t pay more than 30 per cent of their income.
The percentage threshold has been adjusted upwards to 33 per cent, which the society said is “generally accepted as a fair percentage for people on low to moderate incomes to pay for housing.”
An exception will be tenants who receive assistance from the BC Ministry of Social Development, whose Tenant Rent Contribution is set by the government.
The new system of subsidies will take effect for tenants in the Alder, Birch, Cedar and Dogwood buildings on May 1 of this year and “similar changes” will be made at the Elm and Fir buildings and Centennial Manor next year.
The society said the current rental rates are “significantly below the market rent for similar apartments in the community” and will be raised.
The new rates for one-bedroom apartments will be $850 a month, and $775 a month for bachelor suites.
The society said this is still below the market, which it reported as $950 for one-bedroom apartments and $850 for bachelor suites.
Two meetings for LLSCHS tenants to discuss the changes have been set for Evergreen Hall on Wednesday, Feb. 1 at 10 a.m. for Alder and Cedar tenants and 1 p.m. for Birch and Dogwood tenants.
