The Lloydminster Region Housing Group (LRHG) is closer to putting together a feasibility of upgrades to the Pioneer Lodge.
CEO Stephanie Miller speaking at the regular Tuesday meeting of the Lloydminster Concerned Citizens for Seniors Care explained the signals coming out of the Alberta budget bodes well for their work on the feasibility study to replace the 1960s portion of the Pioneer Lodge, and possibly adding more suites to better meet community needs.
For the LRHG, the Alberta budget has:
- About a 2.2- to 2.5 per cent increase in operational expenses
- Lodge Assistance Program rates increased by $1, from $20.50 to $21.50
- An increase in Rent Assistance Program (RAB) for Lloydminster to support individuals and families in maintaining rental housing
- Provincially, the Alberta budget has $1.2 billion over three years for capital projects
Miller notes, it is not yet clear how this will impact and support LRHG (senior self-contained and family housing).
She updates that following the fire at Pioneer Lodge last September, all residents have returned to the premises.
Chair of the LRHG, Michael Diachuk shared on the importance of having seniors age in place, along with concerns about having sufficient housing for people to do that in their home community.
Diachuk pointed out that seniors decline faster when they are removed from their home community and their familiar environment. This view is contrasted with whether it costs more at a later stage to move seniors to assisted living or nursing homes, depending on individual needs and circumstances.
