Mackenzie, B.C.- The District of Mackenzie is one of  18  communities in the province  of BC which will receive  an age friendly grant this year.
The age-friendly communities grant program is a partnership between the Province and the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM). In September 2016, local governments were invited to apply for grants of up to $20,000 and encouraged to consider projects that focused on accessibility, aging well, physical activity and non-medical home supports. Successful applicants are eligible to apply for a range of services to support their project from BC Healthy Communities Society.

For the District of Mackenzie,  the $20 thousand dollars will be  used  to assess Seniors housing and health services  in the community.  The focus will be on  community planning to increase the accessibility of housing and services for seniors  such as home care and assisted living  options.  The District will also be working with BC Housing to  put programs in place to  help seniors  age in place.

Other northern communities to receive  age friendly grants are:

Village of Burns Lake :  $10, 500  for a housing study in the Lakes District which includes the Village of Burns Lake,  six First Nations communities and six  unincorporated communities.   20% of the 8,000 residents in the combined areas are  55 or  older

Village of Granisle:  $20,000  Development of  indoor and outdoor  programs to improve  health and well being of  residents

District of Kitimat:  $20,000  Improvement of  services for seniors  for example:  food boxes and addressing social isolation

Wells:  $20,000- Development of an age friendly community plan  to identify needs of  older adults in the District of Wells