This release was issued under a previous government.

The Government of Alberta will fund the upgrades in 75 government-owned or supported seniors lodges during the next three years, improving 4,700 units.

The funding will also upgrade all 1,750 government owned or supported continuing care spaces in 30 facilities that currently do not have sprinklers.

“Our government remains committed to protecting our most vulnerable citizens, including seniors. Thanks to the vision and direction set by Premier Jim Prentice, we’re taking action today to ensure Alberta’s seniors feel more secure in their homes.”

Jeff Johnson, Minister of Seniors

“ASCHA is very pleased that, in a period of fiscal restraint, seniors’ safety remains a top priority. It is important to protect our most vulnerable and ASCHA, its members and the province are committed to this goal.”

Doug Mills, President of Alberta Senior Citizens Housing Association (ASCHA)

The Ministry of Seniors is directing $80 million to housing management bodies and continuing care operators to begin making immediate upgrades to the facilities that will improve nearly 6,500 units.

Projects were selected based on property and operations assessments completed by housing management bodies and Alberta Health Services, with priority given to facilities presenting the biggest safety risks.

This funding primarily comes from the financial reserves of the Alberta Social Housing Corporation. This funding is in addition to previously allocated investments for replacement of older facilities and capital improvements to existing seniors’ accommodations.

Many of the 24,000 government-owned and supported seniors apartment and lodge units in Alberta were built prior to 1990, before fire sprinklers became mandatory under fire and building safety codes.