P.E.I. seniors' housing wait growing

The waiting list to get into government-subsidized senior's housing on P.E.I. has doubled since 2010.

There are currently 895 people on the list, up from 434 in 2010.

Anyone over the age of 60 can apply for seniors' housing. Applications are assessed based on a person's income, assets, health, age and present housing conditions.

Rent in the government-subsidized units is set at 25 per cent of a person's income.

There are more than 1,100 government seniors' apartments in the province, but the low turnover rate means the waiting list gets longer every year.

A government spokesperson says the Department of Family Services is currently reviewing the list to make sure it's current and all names remain eligible.

The waiting list for seniors also doubled from 2008 to 2013.

• Seniors' housing waiting list doubles

The government is also considering moving to a two-tiered list, with a separate category for those who may be able to afford private-sector housing.

See a chart of waiting list numbers here.