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Hornby Island Housing Society improves senior housing

High-efficiency heat pumps add comfort and affordability to Elder Village
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Sharon Milstein, one of the seniors who live in the Elder Village, walks with JoAnn Harrison, president of the Hornby Island Housing Society.

The Hornby Island Housing Society is ensuring local seniors have affordable homes by replacing outdated propane heating systems with high-efficiency heat pumps.

Two of the 11 units at The Elder Village Hornby Island’s senior housing complex were previously heated by a propane-based system. The original system, installed in 1997, was decommissioned this spring and replaced with individual electric heat pumps.

“This transition is about more than just improved energy efficiency – it’s about security, sustainability, and affordability for our seniors,” said JoAnn Harrison, president of the Hornby Island Housing Society. “Heat pumps also have the highest impact on our residents – who pay for their own heat.”

The benefits are wide-reaching. The new heat pumps are expected to significantly lower heating bills – offering vital savings for seniors on fixed incomes. The units also provide air conditioning, which is increasingly essential as climate change brings hotter summers.

“The tenants are thrilled,” Harrison said. “The heat pumps have increased their comfort and lowered their annual costs.”

The Elder Village is home to 11 seniors and plays a valuable role in a community with very few affordable year-round rentals.

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The Society currently has what Harrison describes as a “dauntingly long” waitlist of seniors seeking accommodation, many of whom face mobility challenges and require accessible, single-level homes like those offered at the Village.

Though other housing options occasionally become available, few on Hornby are truly suitable for seniors. Many homes rely on wood heat, lack proper plumbing or cooking facilities, or are simply unaffordable.

The Village offers the opposite: well-maintained, fully equipped homes with electric heating, running water, and garbage and recycling pickup – all on beautifully landscaped grounds designed for aging in place.

A 2022 Community First study conducted by the Housing Society confirmed the growing shortage of affordable rentals on the island – especially for seniors, who made up more than 44 per cent of the population in 2021, according to Statistics Canada.

“In a small community like ours, every rental unit matters,” Harrison said.

“This upgrade isn’t just a renovation – it’s a lifeline. It ensures our seniors can continue to live safely and affordably – without having to leave the island they call home.”

For more information on Hornby Island Housing Society projects, visit hornbyhousing.org.