The best plans don't always turn into immediate success.

Connie and Bill Achterberg know this all too well after they opened Abbeyfield House Clinton.

The facility on Highway 97 north of Clinton is a huge older house that offers lonely seniors or other adults supportive living.

It is not a nursing home; each senior would have their own room and be responsible for their own care other than meals that will be provided, all for $900 a month.

The Abbeyfield concept originated in England in the late 1950s and today there are hundreds of houses around the world including 25 in BC.

Connie said she had been told there was a need for independent living units in 100 Mile House, Cache Creek and Ashcroft so is surprised that nobody has moved into the house since it opened a few months ago.

The huge house can house eight adults and has been extensively repaired and re-modelled; it has an outdoor ramp and an indoor stair lift.

Cathy McLeod, Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo MP; Sally Watson, Thompson-Nicola Regional District director; Roland Stanke, Clinton mayor; and Heidi Frank, Clinton economic development officer and Abbeyfield Clinton board president, met at Abbeyfield House July 23 to view the facility, hear about the concerns the Achterberg's have and promote the facility.

Connie said one of the problems she has encountered is the four-laning of Highway 97.

She contacted the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure to learn of their plans in front of Abbeyfield House since a widening of the highway could mean the house would need to be moved or perhaps the highway would be right at their front door.

Connie said she hasn't been able to get any answers about what might happen or when so she is reluctant to advertise the facility for long-term residents who might need to move in the future because of highway construction.

She suggested it could be most useful right now for people who are, perhaps, discharged from hospital and have nowhere to go or need help with meals.

Connie also questioned the provincial government for providing subsidies for adults in public facilities but not in private houses like this.

Another problem for the Achterberg's is that supportive housing is not included on the BC Housing list where most seniors would look for affordable housing.

The house seems rather remote but the couple said their target market is seniors living in small towns.

Children may have grown up and moved away and the senior doesn't want to move to a larger community but is lonely or maybe just doesn't want or can't cook meals anymore.

A bus goes right by the facility and, once there are adults living in the house, they could arrange day-trips to larger centres in a car or van.

The Achterberg's plan to build trails on the property and said there is a beautiful pond on adjoining government land.

Sally Watson said the area needs economic diversification and senior care fits in perfectly.