Officials with Gardens On Tenth in Altona continue to lobby the provincial government for increased funding to expand their supporting living program.

Currently, only 13 suites located in the two-storey building known as The Apartments are funded for supportive services while the other 10 tenants are paying a fee to receive those same supports.

"We have a waiting list of 18 for that building, so we could fill that building another time over with just people needing supportive housing," said Gardens Executive Director Laurie Schellenberg.

Schellenberg said the growing need for supportive housing in the community is putting a lot of pressure on their facility, and other healthcare facilities in Altona as well.

"As the hospital is full and the personal care home is full with a waiting list, we are finding that more needs are backing up into our building. There are people in all of our buildings that would benefit from supportive housing as well."

Schellenberg feels Manitoba Health's Aging In Place strategy fits well with what they are trying to provide local seniors.

While many seniors can remain active and independent in their own homes, others need a little assistance to continue living in the community.

Manitoba's Aging In Place strategy is designed to provide that kind of assistance through its Support To Seniors In Group Living program and the Supportive Living initiative.

Altona is an age-in-place community, according to Schelleber, but in the Gardens On Tenth complex, which includes a total of 117 suites, the province is only providing funding for 51 when it comes to the Seniors In Group Living program.

"I think the strategy could work well if they (Manitoba government) would put more money into this plan of theirs, and ultimately I think we could avoid building more personal care homes.," said Schellenberg.