Affordable housing and finding hidden gems
Being able to age in place in their own community is important for many seniors’ mental and physical well-being. A number of organizations in Calgary and area are launching smaller, community-based housing models to meet that need.
Calgary and area seniors have a wealth of options when it comes to housing — among the choices are two hidden gems that are changing the face of seniors’ assisted living and affordable housing. Elderhouse, a Jack Long Foundation (JLF) project, is a 17-unit housing project located in the Inglewood neighbourhood that will feature a community-based housing model that respects seniors’ rights and desires to remain active and functional members of their home community. Residents of Elderhouse will be able to age in place, allowing seniors to maintain a level of independence and integration into their community while being reassured by the support services provided. Offering safe and affordable housing for up to 23 seniors, Elderhouse will feature 17 suites: 13 featuring assisted living, three transitional suites and one overnight caregiver suite.
“Elderhouse set itself apart (right) from its inception, focusing on people and relationship-based planning in comparison to system based,” says Shirley-anne Reuben, founding executive director of the Jack Long Foundation. “JLF engaged the community itself to define the type of affordable housing they wanted or needed; seniors’ supportive care was identified. Seniors themselves then engaged in conversations about their fears and preferences. Their input set the values and principles for the prototype in addition to neighbourhood criteria. Elderhouse is specifically designed for aging in place with a single-family community experience.” With a shortage of supported, affordable housing — especially in urban centres — seniors often pay an emotional toll when they are forced to move away from all that is familiar. In many cases, their families also suffer from this move and Reuben believes the community-based setting of the Elderhouse project will help support mental and emotional wellbeing. COVID-19 has offered many valuable lessons, which are looking at ways of controlling transmission in communities. This includes everything from inhouse food preparation to reduce chances of contamination, to inhouse staff who can isolate in the home with residents while upholding social interaction and reducing isolation.
With an aging Alberta population, the province is facing a shortage of housing that is affordable and allows seniors to live with dignity. Though the Elderhouse project has achieved a little over 50 per cent of its funding goal of $4.6 million and received high levels of municipal support with a valuable donation of land, grants and accelerated approvals as well as conditional federal funding, there is still much work to be done, says Reuben. “There is a common evaluation of a capital project based on a straight-line correlation between number of units (more units equals better investment), resulting in an expectation for larger and larger projects,” she says. “Seniors have expressed the need for more intimate settings. This does not discount the value of well-planned and well-run larger projects; it does, however, limit a viable choice in the continuum of housing and smaller models that integrate with existing low-density streetscapes.”
For seniors and older adults with developmental disabilities or mental health diagnoses, safe and affordable housing that provides the necessary support can be hard to find. Located just south of Calgary in Black Diamond, Ridgestone Lodge is a new facility opened by The Calgary SCOPE Society as part of its Journeys program. The focus of the Journeys program is to provide opportunities for seniors with developmental disabilities and mental health diagnoses create and foster meaningful relationships, proactive health care, assistance in finding and securing appropriate housing, facilitating leisure opportunities and offering educational services to promote a healthy lifestyle. Featuring housing for up to 17 individuals who are over the age of 55 with developmental disabilities and accompanying mental health and aging concerns, Ridgestone is a community living model for those with higher support needs.
For those seniors searching for quality and affordable seniors’ housing options, here are some of the providers: HomeSpace homespace.org HomeSpace is Calgary’s leading non-profit real estate developer, rental housing owner and property manager that provides supportive and affordable housing for the most vulnerable Calgarians with a portfolio of 740 units across 31 properties throughout Calgary. HomeSpace recently opened a nine-storey, 74-unit affordable housing tower downtown called Legacy on 5th. HomeSpace partnered with a few agencies in this building, one of them being Calgary Seniors’ Resource Society, so some of the units are dedicated to vulnerable seniors — that is, seniors who have experienced or were at risk of homelessness, perhaps due to domestic violence, mental health issues or a disability, and require some social supports to thrive in both their housing and community. While HomeSpace does also have some seniors througout its other housing offerings, Legacy on 5th is its only building with dedicated spaces for seniors.
“Forward Housing is dedicated to creating homes where everyone can thrive,” says Erika Cusimano, director of community relations, Forward Housing. “Over our 40-year history, we have offered low-income seniors safe, well-maintained, affordable self-contained apartments.” Forward Housing currently offers seniors two types of independent housing options: n Seven of its buildings offer seniors-only self-contained apartments. Seniors can choose to live in a seniors’ building with other seniors, or n Two of the Forward Housing buildings (featuring one that is brand new and opened the week of April 19) offer affordable housing to a diverse mix of tenants. Seniors can choose to live in a community setting with neighbours of all ages and backgrounds.
For nearly 60 years, Silvera for Seniors has been a leading provider of affordable independent living with a wide range of supports for lower-income seniors. “Silvera for Seniors has many options for lower-income seniors as part of the government’s subsidized housing and accommodation program. The subsidized program is based on a senior’s income, so no more than 30 per cent of income is charged for rent, making sure we are supporting those people who have limited income,” says Arlene Adamson, CEO of Silvera for Seniors. “The Lodge then provides three nutritional meals per day, housekeeping and active aging programs that help keep the residents highly engaged, active and given options for a purposeful, quality lifestyle, so that they age well and successfully and with purpose.” In addition to the enhanced services Lodge program, Silvera communities also offer senior self-contained independent living arrangements for those seniors who are capable of living without supports. Silvera for Seniors also offers a retirement living option at The Westview with competitive pricing for individuals who fall between the higher-priced retirement living options available and income tested housing setting — a great option for Calgarians to consider. “There really is something for everyone,” says Adamson.
“Residents can expect Silvera to deliver on our promise to ensure that you live your best life. Our efforts here are to ensure there is quality programming, and buildings that residents can be proud of. We are very blessed to have a caring team who want to ensure residents belong and are living with purpose.”
Horizon Housing horizonhousing.ab.ca Horizon Housing has been providing affordable housing to Calgary and area seniors since 1976, and currently owns and operates more than 800 units across nine buildings throughout Calgary. It serves families and individuals with a variety of special needs, including those with mental health and mobility challenges, the working poor and those leaving addiction, homelessness and domestic violence. Horizon Housing’s mixed income, mixed-use approach is a leader in helping to reduce stigma, while promoting community integration and enhancing the quality of life for all residents.
Bethany Care Society bethanyseniors.com Bethany Care Society provides an array of housing and care options, ranging from independent living to supportive living, long term care, specialized dementia care and community services throughout central and southern Alberta. For independent adults 55 and older, Bethany Care Society also offers affordable and quality rental apartments. Most properties also have onsite managers who are there full time to assist residents. Access to community support services is made available to assist tenants with issues or challenges.
~Article originally published in Calgary Herald (April 26, 2021 edition)
