Judy Moscovitz proudly shows off her new apartment.
She points out the dishwasher and stove (which still has stickers on the door), the high ceilings in her living room and the private patio on the ground floor where her 16-year-old dog, Dusty, lays in the sun.
"I've always wanted a southwest corner unit. And in all my 70 years I've never had one," Moscovitz says. She does now.
The Montreal-born senior also notes her home doesn't have mould growing in the ceiling, making her and Dusty sick, as their previous residence did.
Carey Place, a 55-unit affordable seniors apartment building at the Mount View Heights on Carey Road, held its grand opening last week.
The $12.3-million building is operated by Baptist Housing, and is the result of financial collaboration from itself, the federal and provincial governments, along with the Capital Regional District.
"This is another dream come true," Saanich Mayor Frank Leonard told a crowd of people at the opening. "I'm very grateful for all the partners that made this possible."
Mount View Heights has been dubbed a 'campus of care.' When complete, it will offer free or affordable housing to seniors, formerly homeless people and low-income families.
"This is a very special place," said Murray Coell, MLA (Liberal) for Saanich North and the Islands. "It's going to be a great place for people to live."
Moscovitz already knows that firsthand. She moved in to her apartment June 1, and says she's floored by the quality of living offered in a subsidized building.
She excitedly points out a metal rod sewed into the shower curtain that clips to the wall. It prevents water from exiting the shower stall and soaking the floor.
"There's so many little things that they didn't have to do, but they did. It's affordable housing, but it's so luxurious," she says.
Carey Place is the third building to open at Mount View Heights. Already operational are Olympic Vista Apartments, a 36-suite building providing transitional housing for previously homeless individuals aged 55 and over, and Vergo Townhouses, 14 homes that offer low rent to families earning less than $64,000 a year.
Mount View Heights is a $100-million project that includes future plans for a seven-storey 244-bed residential care facility, a six-storey 112-unit independent seniors living home, and a commercial building.
Moscovitz says she's glad excited to have a safe and healthy place to call home – especially one on the southwest corner that allows her and Dusty to soak up the sun.
"It's very special. I love it here," she says. "I hope this is my very last place ever – that's my intent."
kslavin@saanichnews.com