A Victoria housing society serving 64 low-income seniors says it is running out of room to manoeuvre financially, with mounting unpaid bills threatening the future of a residence where many tenants have few affordable alternatives. The Glenshiel Housing Society has been struggling for about 18 months, according to board member Judy McMullen. A stretch of vacancies cut deeply into rental income, leaving the non-profit unable to catch up on accumulated debt even after its rooms filled again. “Our monthly income that we have just keeps us running, but it cannot get us over the hole that we’re in,” McMullen said. The society operates independently of the Royal BC Museum, which owns the building, and relies primarily on rent to cover its expenses. It also receives a $5,000 monthly subsidy from BC Housing intended for maintenance. Meanwhile, the cost of feeding residents, paying staff, insuring the property and keeping an aging building operational continues to put pressure on its finances. McMullen said the society needs about $200,000 to clear its current financial backlog. Raising $300,000 would put it in a stronger position to plan for the future. A GoFundMe campaign has set a more immediate target of $20,000, while the society is also accepting donations through CanadaHelps. There is no firm deadline for when the residence could be forced to close. McMullen said the society is doing what it can to keep operating, but its future depends in part on how much financial support it can secure. “I can’t put a date on it,” she said. “I’m thinking maybe a year, but I don’t know. I really don’t know.” An affordable option that is hard to replace The Glenshiel offers a model of housing that falls between living alone and moving into a care facility. Residents have their own rooms, meals, light housekeeping and activities, while retaining their independence. The residence does not provide personal care, but Island Health can assess tenants who need additional support and help connect them with appropriate services. Monthly room rates range from $1,950 to $2,250, depending on the room and bathroom arrangement. Eligible residents can apply for B.C.’s Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters program, known as SAFER, which can reduce their out-of-pocket housing costs. Staff say some residents pay between $1,300 and $1,600 a month after assistance, leaving them with more money for everyday expenses and social activities. McMullen said residents have built friendships over the years, creating a community that would be difficult to replicate elsewhere. Some have lived at the residence for more than two decades. “This is people’s homes,” she said. “And they’d be so devastated to lose that for them and for future ones, because there is no place like this.” Funding questions add to the uncertainty The society’s financial challenges come with a complicated funding arrangement. Although the province owns the property through the Royal BC Museum portfolio, the residence does not receive the ongoing provincial housing assistance its board says is needed to sustain the operation. McMullen said the society has discussed increasing its connection with BC Housing but is concerned about changes that could affect its focus on older residents. The board is also facing the longer-term challenge of needed renovations to the century-old building, adding another layer of uncertainty to its planning. For now, the priority is meeting operating expenses and paying suppliers who have already extended payment deadlines to help the society get through the shortfall. McMullen said those suppliers have been accommodating, but they also have businesses to run and cannot keep waiting indefinitely. The financial strain is also being felt by residents who are unsure what will happen to their homes. “There is a lot of anxiety, frustration, anger,” McMullen said. The society is asking the community to help while it continues pursuing longer-term solutions. Its immediate fundraising goal is only a fraction of the amount needed to clear the debt, but every contribution could help buy time. For McMullen, the stakes extend beyond keeping a building open. She said the goal is to preserve a place where seniors can afford to live independently, eat well and remain connected to other people. How to help Those wishing to support The Glenshiel can donate through its GoFundMe campaign, titled “Help Keep 64 Victoria Seniors in the Place They Call Home,” or through the donation link on The Glenshiel Housing Society’s website via CanadaHelps.
