ROBERT KIRWAN - WARD 5
SENIOR
HOUSING
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SENIOR HOUSING
We must begin to prepare for the future in Ward 5 and in
particular Valley East. I have lived in Valley East for 40 years
and what I am starting to notice is that a lot of seniors who
are still in their houses are looking for viable options that
will allow them to sell their house and move into another
apartment, condo, or senior citizens residence while still
enjoying the quality of life to which they have always been
accustomed.
Many of the seniors are not looking for subsidized
housing or low rent facilities. They just want a nice place that
is smaller than their house and is easier to maintain. The
problem is that there are very few places available for them.
During the next four years City Council is going to have to come
up with a plan that will provide developers with the necessary
incentives they need to build senior apartments and senior
citizen residences. This will not only stimulate the economy it
will open up some lower cost houses that will be more suitable
for younger couples who are just starting out and may not be
able to afford $400,000 homes. The houses that will come on the
market will be in the $200,000 range.
This must be a priority
for us or we will soon start to see our seniors moving away from
the City to be closer to their children or the larger centers in
Southern Ontario that do have places for them to live.
In terms of specifics, we really need to examine the
development charges that are being applied to senior living
apartment buildings and housing developments. Perhaps it is time
to offer a financial incentive to builders in order for us to
begin providing alternatives for our seniors. The cost of
building apartments and condominiums is so expensive that in
order to offer affordable living in a new apartment, a builder
finds that the return on investment is not enough to even enter
into such a project.
But this is a problem that is only going to go from bad to
worse and we cannot ignore it. I do not advocate for the City
getting into the housing business, but we may have to in order
to meet the needs of our seniors.
RESOURCES
Future financial needs of Seniors
http://www.ativa.com/infographic-canadian-retirement/
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