Seniors priced out of homes

The rise in rents in Nelson comes with some collateral damage.

Many of the elders in the city — and across the Kootenay region and the province — are being priced out of their homes as the cost of accommodations climbs, forcing people to make choices between rent, food and healthcare, said Ana Bokstrom, West Kootenay Nav-Care program manager.

As an organization, Nav-Care — a free, compassionate community-based program to improve the quality of life of adults living with chronic illness, social isolation or increased frailty — are seeing a growing number of seniors facing evictions with no viable options they can afford.

“Most of the city’s senior clients are affected; the only ones who aren't are those who own their own home,” said Bokstrom.

“Even those who are living in a rental with below market rent, because they've been there long enough, are starting to change their behaviour so that they don't give the landlord any possible cause for eviction — often not asking for required repairs because they're worried that if they have to move they won't be able to afford to rent a new place.”

In B.C., seniors have the highest rate of low income at 15.2 per cent, nearly double that of other age groups. Over 37,000 low-income senior households in the province are living in rental housing that is unaffordable, unsuitable, or inadequate, while only 537 new subsidized units for seniors have been built since 2021.

And rents are rising. Last year, the average one-bedroom apartment in cost $1,558 per month and, for a senior to afford this their annual income would need to exceed $62,000, but 51 per cent of seniors earn less than $35,000 per year.

The Kootenay region is at least as high as the provincial averages, depending on which area in question, said Bokstrom. Nelson is higher than average while some of the more remote areas are more affordable.

“The problem with that is that many seniors don't drive anymore, so moving farther from a community isn't an option with our terrible transit,” she said.

The housing crunch is an indignity no one should have to face at any point in life, especially as an elder, said Bokstrom.

“Imagine having worked your entire life, only to face the fear of homelessness in your retirement,” she began. “Many seniors in B.C., who have contributed so much to their communities, are now struggling to keep a roof over their heads.

“The lack of affordable housing has left many with limited options, forcing them to choose between basic needs or facing homelessness. These are our parents, grandparents, and neighbours.”

A call for change

The issue is not just about the numbers, this is about the real lives of our elders, said Bokstrom.

There is need for new policies, funding and action to increase access to affordable housing for low-income seniors. Bokstrom said Nav-Care is calling for greater public awareness and immediate policy change to prevent more seniors from losing their homes.

“There are no simple solutions to a long-term imbalance that has been going on for a long time,” she said. “The simple answer: increase pensions; build more subsidized housing; (the) long answer is too political.”

The B.C. government has made minimal progress in providing new affordable housing for seniors, despite the growing need, Bokstrom explained. The housing insecurity that seniors face is not just a personal issue; it's a community-wide crisis that affects everyone.