Article by Carole Fawcett Are you feeling angry? I would bet that most low-income seniors across this country of ours are also angry.  As I stated before, this Boomer is angry. The federal budget left out seniors, (AGAIN!!!) and those with disabilities were left out, with extra money ending at age 64.  Do they really think that people can live on OAS, GIS and CPP with any dignity?  Do they think it is possible to enjoy even a marginal quality of life when you have less than the national poverty line?  Really?  It truly boggles the mind. The last increase of any significance was in 2016 and at that time,…

BC Seniors: Falling Further Behind This Report was originally Posted on September 22, 2022 Link to the OSABC website In this report, Seniors Advocate Isobel Mackenzie details the results of a systemic review of the impact of rising costs on B.C. seniors who depend on government pensions and ranks B.C. as the lowest in its financial support for seniors compared to other provinces and territories. The report examines the incomes and expenses of seniors across a broad socio-economic landscape and assesses the effectiveness of government supports, services and subsidies. The report includes findings from a spring 2022 survey of low-income seniors and a consultation with 82 community agencies. Highlights: Recommendations:…

Why B.C.’s rent subsidy program for low-income seniors is flawed: Advocates A Postmedia News review of a decade of B.C. Housing reports found that tens of millions of dollars in provincial rent subsidies haven’t been spent Vancouver Sun: Nathan Griffiths Published Feb 20, 2024  •  Last updated Feb 20, 2024  Find out the facts in the 2022 study by the Office of the Seniors Advocate British Columbia Burnaby’s Jing Lei Xiang is facing eviction this year because the Metrotown building she lives in, which houses a number of lower-income seniors, is being demolished. It’s the second time in two years that Xiang, 70, a cancer survivor who spent years working in B.C.’s long-term care…

B.C. increases monthly rent supplements for low-income seniors, offers one-time top up B.C. seniors who qualify for the government’s rental assistance program will get a one-time top up of $430 plus an additional $110 a month in subsidies. Amid concerns from seniors that the Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER) program hasn’t kept up with rising rents, B.C. is boosting the monthly rent supplement and allowing more seniors to qualify. However, one rental advocate said without meaningful action by the B.C. NDP to rein in out of control rent, the subsidies amount to a “game of catch-up that the government loses every time.” Seniors who qualify for SAFER will get…