OLDS — Mountain View Seniors' Housing (MVSH) is still looking for ways to tweak its budget to cover an increase to a seniors’ benefit, announced by the provincial government, MVSH chief administrative officer Stacey Stilling says.
MVSH board chair and Olds town councillor Heather Ryan raised the issue earlier this year.
Effective Jan. 1, the provincial government directed that the disposable income benefit for eligible seniors living in lodge facilities must rise by $20; from $322 to $342 per month.
However, Ryan said the province didn’t provide the money to cover that increase, which means MVSH will have to find it somewhere in its budget.
She said that could mean rejigging the organization’s budget or increasing its requisition from municipalities.
Requisitions are contributions from member municipalities which include Carstairs, Didsbury, Olds, Sundre, Cremona and Mountain View County. Municipalities have no say in those amounts and must pay them as requested.
Last week, Stilling said MVSH is still looking for that money.
“Currently we are continuing to review our 2023 approved operating budget to see if there are areas where we could consider adjusting to cover the increase to the disposable income benefit, as we have not heard anything further from the province on specific funding to cover this benefit,” Stilling wrote in an email.
“The funding support question has been raised to the government of Alberta by many housing management bodies since it was announced.
“The government has indicated they will monitor the impacts of the increase to this benefit and we know they are still assisting with some COVID funding.
“This is a benefit that we have not seen improved for many years, so the increase for our residents is great news, but operationally a hurdle we need to overcome.
“We will experience this in future years moving forward as well, given the fact the government has indicated the dollar amount will continue to be indexed with inflation in years to come.
“We are optimistic that this conversation will also arise during the planned review of the entire lodge program in 2023.”
In an email as well, Ryan said the matter may not be addressed until later this spring, as the MVSH board will not meet in April.
Seniors, Community and Social Services Ministry press secretary Hunter Baril provided the following statement on the matter to the Albertan.
“Alberta’s government is taking action to make life more affordable for seniors.
“On Jan. 1, 2023, we increased benefit rates for low-income seniors by six per cent and going forward these rates will be indexed to keep pace with inflation.
“This includes disposable income for seniors living in lodge units and seniors receiving the Supplementary Accommodation Benefit.
“Budget 2023 provides a $3.3 million increase to the Supplementary Accommodation Benefit to reflect indexing costs and caseload growth.
“This benefit supports seniors who reside in a designated supportive living or long-term care facility with monthly accommodation charges to ensure they are left with $342 in disposable income.
“Budget 2023 maintains operating funding for housing operators, including lodge providers. Each lodge operator sets their own rates and these vary by region.
“Regardless of the monthly rate, each resident must be left with at least $342 in monthly disposable income, which is up from $322 in previous years.
“We asked operators to ensure the adjustments were made as of January and provide a credit for any overpayments made.
“Providing housing is a shared responsibility with all orders of government – municipal, provincial and federal.
“As housing demand increases and needs become more complex, coordination and partnerships are critical.
“Through the 10-year affordable housing strategy, Alberta’s government will continue to work with municipalities and local housing providers to enhance their capacity and meet the unique housing needs in their communities.”
