Amalgamation of Vermilion Housing with manors across the area a “win-win”

CAO Paul Kim said the amalgamation for the Vermilion & District Housing Foundation will benefit all parties, after it becomes official on January 1.

“It’s a win/win for seniors and taxpayers,” said Kim.

“The provincial government won’t have to pay individual companies to manage small properties, and residents will only have to deal with one person. We are currently working with an approximate $4 million budget, and after the amalgamation, will increase operations to approximately $7.4 million.”

Manors in Dewberry, Irma, Edgerton, Chauvin, and Wainwright will be added to the list of properties managed by the VDHF.

Kim said the only building owned by the VDHF is the Vermilion Valley Lodge.

All other locations are owned by the Alberta Senior’s Housing Corporation and managed by the VDHF. This means that no sales have or will take place, but the overall fees will rise next year when they become a larger group.

Operating costs will be allocated to the other villages for those locations, and travel expenses will be distributed as well.

“It will be cost-effective and easier to develop policies and standardize across the board,” said Kim.

Kim is looking forward to offering services in the other communities as the collaboration effort continues. He said he is very passionate about seniors and hopes to translate the highest standard level of service from his management career, delivering the same quality to seniors in the vulnerable sector.

His 25 years of experience includes four years at the VDHF, as well as work in the private sector including oil and gas, resort, hotel, and golf course amenities.