Seniors in British Columbia are feeling “invisible and forgotten” as they fall thorough the cracks in existing provincial support systems, their advocate says.
The report outlines what Levitt heard during his tour, including that B.C. seniors on fixed incomes are disproportionately affected by the high cost of living. The report makes several recommendations for the B.C. government, starting with redesigning the Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters program. Responding to the report at an unrelated news conference, Premier David Eby said seniors are feeling the pinch of global inflation, high interests rates and other costs.
In another scenario, it says a senior earning the new income cap of $37,240 with low market rent of $1,100 would receive the minimum subsidy of $50 a month, but still pay over 30 per cent of their income towards rent.