Prince George senior citizens and those with disabilities will soon be able to access 31 new low-income housing units in the Hart area.
The cluster of one-bedroom modular homes located behind the Hart Pioneer Centre are 600-square -feet in area and come with necessary appliances.
The $4.7 million project by BC Housing offers "ground level homes and the rental cost depends on income," said Judy Johnson, treasurer of Hart Pioneer Centre Society.
Sam Rainboth of BC Housing said the units are for rent only, and will cost 30 per cent of the tenant's annual income with a limit of $26,000 per year in Prince George.
Those eligible to rent the units are people age 55 and older who can live independently, couples where at least one person is 55 years or older, and eligible adults with disabilities under the age of 55, Rainboth said.
He added, the modules, being built by Western Industrial Contractors, have been funded by the federal government ($2.2 million) and the province ($2.5 million).
Johnson said although access to transportation is not great in the Hart area, the units are located within walking distance of a drug store, Save-On Foods and a hardware store.
"Residents would also be close to our senior centre which serves hot lunches," said Johnson.
During Friday's coffee time with The Citizen, the Hart project was broached by Hart resident, Gary Jorgensen who thinks that despite the project being a good step, the area does not have the businesses to support the residents.
"We need more retail development in the area. Right now I can't even purchase a shirt. I think it's high time city council promoted development in this area instead of everything going to Westgate. "The Hart has plenty of room for big box stores, too," said Jorgensen, noting, a 13-acre parcel lot located at West Austin and Handlen roads has been for sale for a long time "and it's still for sale."
Sharon Ledderhof, with the Canadian Mental health Association, said her experience shows that low income housing is a "huge issue" for people with disabilities.
"Their disability income is about $906 a month of which $375 is for housing, and for that amount they can maybe get a sleeping room. So for most, they have to use about $600 of their pension to pay rent, and that leaves them with little to get through the month."
"When I hear of projects like the Hart I get real excited," said Ledderhof.
Coffee on The Citizen at Starbucks in the Ramada Hotel is at 10 a.m. This Friday, discussion topics will include the proposed performing arts centre and the city staff wages featured in the Nov. 16 edition of the Citizen.
Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of The Citizen.
