How Affordable Housing is Transforming the Lives of Senior Artists in BC

Over 20 years ago, co-founders Joy Coghill and Jane Heyman created PAL Vancouver to address the housing need faced by low-income seniors from any performing arts professions. Many of these seniors, after a lifetime of contract work, struggled with poverty, unstable housing, and social isolation. These challenges are just as significant today. 

Consistent with research on healthy ageing, PAL Vancouver offers so much more than social housing — providing residents with both a safe, affordable home and a supportive, dynamic environment where they can stay active and creatively engage in the community.

“I’m one of the first residents here, since July 2006. It is a tremendous community, a real sense of family & home – we care a lot for each other. We are also cared for by the office.” - Rosy, PAL Vancouver Resident

For almost 20 years, Rosy has had a safe and affordable place to call home at PAL Vancouver. In 2024, Rosy participated in many of our support initiatives, including:

• Weekly community meals through Soup Social

• Monthly PAL Pantry free groceries in partnership with the Greater Vancouver Food Bank

• PAL’s Pet Pantry (pet supplies donated by local shoppers at Bosley’s)

• A series of technology education workshops and access to iPads through a grant from the New Horizons for Seniors Program.

Thanks to our creative community here at PAL, Rosy is still active as an actor and just finished performing in one of Western Gold’s productions at the PAL Studio Theatre.

WHY IS PAL VANCOUVER NEEDED? 

A 2024 survey reported that 66% of Canadian artists earned less than $40,000 from all their arts and culture sources in 2023, including 21% who earned less than $10,000 (The Cultural Human Resources Council). Here at PAL Vancouver, our senior residents never pay more than 33% of their income on rent. In 2024, the average cost of rent per month was $749.

When people have a secure and affordable home, their mental and physical health improve dramatically. At PAL Vancouver, this includes a supportive, creative environment with the power to liberate and inspire. A home at PAL nourishes our residents’ creativity — transforming an uncertain outlook into a new lease on life.

“These homes provide relief for those who are already struggling to get by in a challenging economy,” New Westminster MLA Jennifer Whiteside

"Living at PAL gave us access to so many professionals: actors, directors, dramaturges - a seriously supportive network!" (PAL Vancouver Resident)

Please donate now to support performing arts professionals in our community at www.palvancouver.org/donate