As published in the Prince George Citizen
Half of BC seniors live on after-tax income of less than $35,000 a year; 20 per cent of BC senior households spend 44 per cent of their income on rent. It’s no wonder, then, that so many older citizens are facing financial crises and being forced to choose between paying their rent and putting food on the table.
SHINE BC is helping older adults navigate difficult housing situations and ensuring seniors are registered for all the financial benefits they are eligible for.
Seniors Housing Information and Navigation Ease (SHINE) is a provincial program funded by the Ministry of Health and led by the Seniors Services Society of BC.
In Northern BC, the program operates out of two communities: Prince George and Terrace.
The Prince George Council of Seniors joined the SHINE partnership in 2021. Jenine Bortolon is the society’s seniors housing navigator. Before she took on this position, she had never imagined there could be seniors who are homeless. She says the job has really opened her eyes.
“I help seniors with many things; you never know what people will need when they walk in our doors,” said Jenine. “I assist with federal form applications, filling in housing applications, showing seniors how to search for rentals online, helping clients access food banks.”
With a low vacancy rate and high rents in the private market, Jenine worries for clients on fixed incomes.
“I see a lot of seniors who have been living in the same place for a long time who are being given eviction notices. They pay next to nothing compared to today’s rents; owners want them out so they increase the rent. Rents in new builds can run anywhere from $1,600 to $2,200 a month, which may be as much as they receive from their pensions. I’ve met with seniors who are living in cars because they can’t afford to rent. I’ve managed to reconnect some of them with their families, but others don’t have family anymore. I encourage them to consider having a roommate to share the costs. But there are risks if you get someone who takes advantage of you.”
Jenine sees the value being part of the SHINE partnership brings to Prince George.
“I’ve been told many times, ‘I don’t know how I would have found a place without you,’” she said. “I’ve been called an angel many times. This program is definitely an essential service; without SHINE, a lot of seniors would really struggle. There’s a huge need for more affordable housing for seniors; if things don’t change soon, I foresee seniors’ homelessness will rise immensely.”
In Northwest BC, the situation isn’t any better. Troy Peters is the associate director of support services for the Terrace and District Community Services Society,
SHINE’s partner in that city. His organization joined the partnership in July 2025.
“Seniors here had been falling through the cracks; the SHINE model is keeping them off the streets,” said Troy. “Being able to provide services that help seniors navigate the system is vital. Ensuring they’re getting all the money they’re entitled to can help them stay housed. And it’s a lot easier to keep housing rather than try to find new housing.”
Troy sees seniors in Terrace living in apartments and trailers; some couch surf. Renovictions account for some of the low-income seniors who are at risk of homelessness. Rents are increasing, particularly with a low vacancy rate that is under increasing pressure as nearby Kitimat enjoys an economic boom.
“There are lots of places being built,” said Troy, “but in a recent new apartment building, rent for a one-bedroom was $2,200 a month. The early-bird rate for a new two-bedroom was $3,300. That’s what’s being developed … those are Vancouver prices.”
Advocating for seniors is a passiona for Troy, and he sees SHINE as an important way to do this.
“Housing for seniors is so important; it really upsets me that people who have contributed most of their lives reach a stage where they seemingly get left out. I think that, as a country, we need to do better for people who are struggling and not able to navigate the system. That’s where our strength as a country needs to be.”
“Housing navigation supports need to be accessible to all low-income seniors who are homeless or who are at risk of becoming homeless,” said SSSBC CEO Alison Silgardo.
“SHINE is an important part of the continuum of services available to support seniors, and it is our sincere wish to expand the program to other parts of the province.”
Malhar R. Kendurkar is the executive director of the Prince George Council of Seniors.