SENIORS: Affordable housing and the arts
Martha Perkins
Other
The average income for a retired senior citizen in Canada is $30,000 a year, according to Stats Canada.
The average income for a retired senior citizen who worked in the arts or performing arts in Canada is $10,000 a year.
Now you know why the Performing Arts Lodge is not just a special place but an essential one.
Of the 111 units spread over eight floors in a mixed housing development on Cardero, 79 are one-bedroom apartments that offer rents geared to income. For some tenants the rent is $475; for others it ranges up to just under $900. The rule is that no one pays more than 33 per cent of their income on rent.
Then there are 20 suites which are rented out at just under market value, or, on average, $1,400 a month.
The last piece of the PAL housing puzzle are the 12 two-bedroom life-lease units, where people pay a monthly fee similar to that in a condo building. In an area like Coal Harbour, where affordable housing is an oxymoron, they cost considerably less than neighbouring condos — an average of $300,000 compared to $900,000. But there’s a catch: at the end of the lease, when the owner moves or dies, PAL buys back the unit at the original cost. The increase in value goes to PAL.
Not surprisingly, there are about 200 people on the waiting list for units. “We could open two more buildings and fill them immediately,” says Gary Glacken, PAL’s executive director.
For the Vancouver arts world, which helped founders Joy Coghill and Jane Heyman raise a large chunk of money to build PAL, it’s a way of saying thanks for the memories — and the sacrifices.
All this is possible without any government funding for operating costs. Possible, but very challenging.
Every year PAL needs to raise between $250,000 and $300,000 for the rental assistance program. Some of the money comes from renting the eighth-floor theatre and garden space for performances or meetings. Some comes from special events PAL hosts — and if the residents know how to do something, it’s put on a good show — and donations are always gratefully received.
“We go back to the provincial government every year to see if we could fit in a funding program,” says Glacken. “The operating end is where the challenges come into play.” But because PAL is so innovative, it’s hard to fit into any funding model.
The province did kick in $386,000 to get PAL off the ground but it was the City of Vancouver that made it all possible as part of Blue Tree Group’s development of a 25-storey building adjacent to Westin Bayshore Hotel. The city not only donated PAL’s land as a 60-year lease for $10 as part of a social housing initiative, but it also provided a matching grant of $1 million. In return, the Bayshore Garden Children’s Centre, operated by Vancouver Society of Children’s Centres, is on the second floor and has a large outdoor play area.
Arts unions and associations were also a big supporter, contributing $735,000 to the capital campaign while personal philanthropy and foundations kicked in an additional $800,000. PAL started fulfilling its promise that “no person in the performing arts community will live in isolation, fear or want” in 2006.
With PAL suites taking up eight of the 24 floors, private condos take up the rest of the tower.
“There are always hiccups in any communal model but it’s worked out well,” says Glacken. “It’s still an incredibly innovative and workable project.”
There are many ways the Vancouver community can support PAL. The 150-seat black-box theatre, with its stunning worthy view and beautifully landscaped terrace, can be rented out for performances, exhibits and meetings. Online donations are always welcome at DonateToPALVancouver.org. There’s also a need for volunteers in what’s being called a “supporting cast” — people who can come in and help some residents with their day-to-day activities.