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Oak Bay targets age-friendly funds

Municipal staff applied for one of the up to 25 grants available across the province of up to $20,000

Oak Bay will pursue some funding for an age-friendly action plan.

Staff made a last-minute application and got belated approval from council to seek a share in provincial grants available to address age-friendly community initiatives and projects in the district.

The province launched the Seniors’ Housing and Support initiative in 2004 with a one-time $3 million grant from what is now the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development to help local governments prepare for an aging population.

Municipal staff got the package late, and hurried through an application for one of the up to 25 grants available across the province of up to $20,000.

The priority in 2015 is to engage communities that have not yet completed an age-friendly plan or project. While Oak Bay is interested in funding some infrastructure items such as curb drops in the municipality, the application is for development of a District of Oak Bay Age-Friendly Action Plan.

A requirement for the application is council endorsement; council gave its official nod last Monday and credited staff for acting quickly on the application.

cvanreeuwyk@oakbaynews.com