Seniors will have more opportunities to live productive, full lives in a safe, affordable environment close to family and friends thanks to the construction of a new 24-unit Kinsmen building. This announcement was made by Housing and Community Development Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross.
“We are pleased to work with the municipality, the Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority and the Kinsmen to create high-quality, affordable housing that will have a meaningful impact on the lives of seniors in Oakbank,” Irvin-Ross said. “Partnerships such as this play a key role in making a great community even better and help enrich the lives of seniors and families.”
Manitoba is investing more than $7.9 million into this initiative by Oakbank-Springfield Kinsmen Senior Citizens Complex Inc., the minister said. Construction on 12 supportive and 12 independent living housing units will begin soon.
“This project addresses an urgent need for more affordable seniors housing in our area,” said Al Burrows, project co-ordinator for the complex. “It is made possible by our great working relationship with the provincial government, the Municipality of Springfield and the Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority.”
The independent living units will consist of eight one-bedroom and four two-bedroom units. The main floor non-residential area will include a multi-purpose room, meeting room, reception/waiting area and some office space for program services.
All units will be fully accessible and meet Manitoba Housing’s visitable design standards. The building is also designed to meet Manitoba Hydro’s Power Smart designation. Construction is expected to be completed by spring of 2014.
“We will continue to focus on what matters most to Manitobans including investing in affordable housing to help create jobs and improve the quality of life for those who need it most,” said Irvin-Ross.
For more information on Manitoba’s recent investments in affordable housing, visit www.gov.mb.ca/housing/homeworks.
