It's been 40 years since the District of Squamish successfully teamed up with local residents to create affordable housing specifically for seniors.
And on June 5 the Squamish Senior Citizens Home Society (SSCHS) celebrates four decades of providing local seniors with decent housing and a fulfilling social life for a low rate.
The first ever seniors building was the Cedars, on the corner of Third Avenue and Pemberton Street, built in 1972 with 20 units. A few years later when it was clear the need was still there, they opened the neighbouring Squamish Manor, a three-story building with 50 units.
A BC housing subsidy program allows tenants to pay no more than 30 per cent of their income for accommodations.
"Their base rent is lower than market and considerably less than you would pay somewhere else," said SSCHS administrator Laura Modray.
Marie Dillman is 83 years old and has been living in the Cedars for 30 years.
She moved to Squamish from Hamilton, Ontario with her husband in 1977, and when he passed away three years later, she turned to the seniors centre for help. Even though she was younger than the age limit of 55, they had some vacancies and took her in.
There have been a lot of changes in her time, but she said the great quality of staff and organization haven't changed.
"They're really working hard and this is a really good place to live," she said. "People change the place as they come because as time passes people have different ideas."
She said she remembers the first TV they bought for the lounge thanks to a resident's beautiful handmade rug, which was raffled off to raise the money.
A number of programs have also been added, including the Vancouver Coastal Health initiative The Diners Club, where local restaurants prepare meals for the seniors and deliver them to the home for only $4.
"A lot of them can't get out to restaurants or don't want to pay the full price so it's a nice way for people to get out of their suites, socialize and have a nice meal," said Modray.
There's also the residence committee, the Cedman seniors, who host and organize an annual garage sale, a Christmas bazaar, and bingo every Saturday night.
And the lounge is always busy, especially when guest speakers visit to educate residents on health, estate planning and community events and issues.
"In the last five years the programs have really taken off and there's a lot more participation in people coming out to the programs and socializing in the lounge," said Modray.
