Frequently Asked Questions Silvera for Seniors is a registered charity that provides affordable housing to more than 1,500 seniors across 26 communities in Calgary. A non-profit organization, Silvera has been an advocate for those in the “silver era” of their lives for more than 50 years. We believe seniors are a vital and important part of our communities and are valued as such. How do I apply to live with Silvera for Seniors? You can submit an application in one of the following ways: Online: you can submit your application at www.silvera.ca/living-here/ Visit us: you can pick up an application form in one of Silvera’s communities. Contact us: call Silvera at 403.567.5301 or email placement@silvera.ca, and we’ll send you an application form. There are three steps to the application process: 1. Complete all sections of the application.
2. Provide a copy of your Notice of Assessment (processed Income Tax) from the most recent tax year. If you cannot locate yours, call Canada Revenue Agency at 1.800.959.8281 to request a copy. In some cases we may require additional financial information. 3. If you have been hospitalized in the last year, please submit a medical report along with your application. You can download the medical report on silvera.ca or contact us for a copy.
4. Submit both the completed application and the copy of your Notice of Assessment to Silvera.
What do you mean by Independent Living and Supportive Living? Independent Living is for seniors who want to live independently but within a community atmosphere. While you’re able to live safely on your own and can look after your daily needs, you don’t have to worry about maintaining the property. 1 | Frequently Asked Questions | September 2016
Supportive Living helps you maintain your quality of life, even if you need a little extra support. In this program, all meals and snacks, weekly housekeeping, activity programs and 24-hour non-medical staffing is included in the rent. Where in the city are your Independent Living and Supportive Living communities located? Independent Living
Supportive Living
Northwest Alder Court Dream Haven Elmwood Court Shouldice Manor
Northwest Confederation Park Dream Haven Shouldice
Northeast Bow Valley Townhouses Chestnut Grove Gilchrist Gardens Gilchrist Manor McCann Court Mountview Apartments Willow Park on the Bow Southwest Austin Nixon Manor Boxwood Place Friendship Manor Queens Court
Northeast Aspen Bow Valley Spruce Southwest Shawnessy Westview Southeast Beaverdam Valleyview
Southeast Beaverdam Townhouses Can I apply for both the Independent Living and Supportive Living Program? The two programs offer different supports, so we ask that you choose the one that would best meet your needs. If you are unsure about which program is right for you, give us a call and we can help guide you. 2 | Frequently Asked Questions | September 2016
Can I choose more than one location? You can choose as many locations as you like within the program you are applying for. When I submit an application, do I receive a call? After you submit an application, our placement team will contact you to confirm that we have received your application. Please allow for five working days for a member of our placement team to contact you to review the application and supporting documents. What is the waitlist to live with Silvera? Your place on our waitlist is determined by your needs and situation, not your application date. Depending on the priority of each new application received, you may move up and down on the waitlist, and we cannot inform you of your exact position on the waitlist. Once you reach the top of the waitlist and we have a vacancy available, one of our placement coordinators will contact you to discuss next steps in the process and ensure that you are ready to move. At that time, the placement coordinator will arrange for a meeting with a community manager to view the available suite. If there are any changes to your situation while you are on the waitlist, such as you have found housing or your health has deteriorated, please let us know by calling 403.567.5301 or emailing placement@silvera.ca. If I have questions about the status of my application, who do I speak to? You can reach a member of the placement team at 403.567.5301 or email placement@silvera.ca Can I place my name on the waitlist even though I am not actively looking to move? The waitlist is for people who are currently looking to move. How much income do I need to have to qualify for housing? We will consider all applications and income amounts; however, your income may determine which Supportive Living communities you are eligible for, as there are base rents in effect.
3 | Frequently Asked Questions | September 2016
I need housing immediately. How long does the entire process take before I’m advised if I qualify? Silvera for Seniors does not provide emergency housing. Once an application form is received and it is determined to be complete, it will then be passed to a placement coordinator for review, which may take up to two weeks. What is the size of the suites? The size of suites varies across our communities. You can call each Supportive Living community to arrange for a tour to see a suite. To do this, contact our placement team for more information or go on a virtual tour on silvera.ca. In our Independent Living communities we have a limited number of two-bedroom suites, which are reserved for couples. Do you have wheelchair-accessible suites? Yes, barrier-free suites are located at our Aspen, Spruce, Westview and Shawnessy communities, as well as in a number of our Independent Living communities. What is the rent? At Westview, Willow Park on the Bow and some suites in Gilchrist Gardens and Shouldice Manor, there are set rent rates. In our other communities, the rental rates are calculated based on a percentage of your annual gross income as reported on Line 150 of your tax assessment. Each community has a different base rent before the percentage is applied. If you choose to apply, our Placement Team will speak with you about the suites available and the cost. What is the damage deposit? For Westview Community and all Independent Living communities, the damage deposit is equal to one month of basic rent. For our other Supportive Living communities, you do not have to pay a damage deposit when you move in. What is your pet policy? Silvera doesn’t allow pets in any of our communities. What is your smoking policy? Smoking is not allowed anywhere inside Silvera’s Communities. In many of our communities there are outdoor designated smoking areas available. 4 | Frequently Asked Questions | September 2016