North Vancouver seniors at risk of losing housing after sudden subsidy change

A sudden contract change is putting dozens of North Shore seniors in limbo — and their families scrambling for answers.

Chartwell Residences, the building operator for Churchill House in North Vancouver, recently announced it is terminating its agreement with BC Housing and Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) — a deal that had provided subsidized housing under the Independent Living BC (ILBC) program.

Residents of Churchill House, many of whom have called the assisted living facility home for years, are now facing the reality that time in their subsidized units may be running out.

In total, more than 30 seniors are affected by the change, including Darren Smith’s 92-year-old father.

“I didn’t see it coming,” said Smith. “I was just phoning in to check in on my dad and he mentioned that he was going down for an info session and after that meeting he called and dropped the bomb that they were ending the program.”

Residents were told they have a window of between 18 and 24 months before the changes fully take effect.

While two years may sound like plenty of time, Smith says the situation is far more complicated.

“Finding alternative housing for a senior with assisted needs who’s on a fixed pension is incredibly difficult. And with the current housing market, it definitely worries me,” said Smith.

Adding to the frustration is what Smith describes as a lack of communication.

“It makes me wonder what the conversation would have been if I hadn’t had spoke with my father. Not all the residents have family and there’s a real vulnerability there. Honestly, it’s pretty sickening,” he said.

In a statement, BC Housing confirms that Chartwell is ending its subsidized housing contract with the province and Vancouver Coastal Health. The agency says it had attempted to extend the agreement but couldn’t meet Chartwell’s demand for a significantly higher subsidy.

BC Housing insists that no one will be evicted or forced into market rents. Instead, existing residents can stay on at their current rate — even beyond the 24-month transition window — but they will be “encouraged” to leave.

“The transition of units at Churchill House is an isolated situation as a result of Chartwell’s decision not to renew the ILBC funding agreement for this property. No other units receiving subsidy through the ILBC will be impacted by this change. BC Housing and VCH will continue to offer 835 ILBC units in the VCH region.”

In the meantime, BC Housing emphasized it will support residents in relocating to other ILBC-subsidized sites, should they choose to move.

Chartwell also says that the shift “to a model that supports Chartwell-managed suites” will be implemented “gradually.”

“We are collaborating closely with our partners at VCH and the British Columbia Housing Management Commission to provide alternative housing options for those residents affected by this transition. Our priority is to make this transition as smooth and supportive as possible for all residents,” said Chartwell in a statement.

But for families like Smith’s, the emotional and logistical toll is already being felt.

“This place was a godsend after my dad’s operation… I’m just really worried — I don’t know what we’re going to do if we can’t find him a place that meets his care needs.”