Housing Older Canadians
Riding the Wave of ChangeSeptember 30, 2015
Demographics
Population Growth for Youth, Working Age and Seniors, 2006 and 2011, and Forecast 2031
Housing Need
From local research:Seniors represent 18% of all householdsMonthly shelter costs for seniors have increased 46% from 2001 - 2011 ($527 - $769)21.4% of seniors households paying 30% or more of their income for housing (44.9% of senior renters) Seniors are 22% of Community Housing waitlistSeniors wait on average two+ years for placement (lowest wait times)
Affordability
Housing Services
Service Manager for Housing (and Homelessness)Oversight and funding for Community Housing Providers (Non-Profits and Co-ops)Wait list managementShort and Long term planning
Affordable Housing Strategy 2014-201910-year Housing & Homelessness Plan 2014-2024
Responsible for administering Regionally-owned Community Housing (Waterloo Region Housing)
Community Housing for Seniors
Waterloo Region Housing19 building sites designated for seniors.Of the 2722 housing units, 40 per cent (1076 units) are designated for
seniors, with mostly rent-geared-to-income (RGI) & 20 market.
Non-Profit & Co-operative Housing Providers868 units designated for seniors (market & RGI)373 RGI units
Affordable Housing Strategy Developments195 units designated for seniors, with below average market rents
(BAMRs)
Housing Assistance Programs29 Rent Supplement units in senior designated buildings
* Seniors are defined as 60+
Sunnyside Seniors' Apartments
An affordable housing development for seniors in Waterloo Region:
Approximately 32 units (one and two-bedroom apartments)
The building is accessible (elevators), four apartments are specifically modified for wheelchairs.
Approximately 12 tenants receive a rent-geared-to-income subsidy
Up to 15 units are rented with priority to individuals whose spouse is a Sunnyside Home resident or to individuals who are caregivers to a family member residing in Sunnyside Home
10-Year Housing & Homelessness Plan (2014-2024)
5 Themes:Housing affordabilitySupports to obtain and retain housingRange of housingEffectiveness of housing systemRetaining and maintaining housing stock
Affordable Housing Strategy2014-2019
New goal is "to address the housing needs of at least 700 low to moderate income households"
Affordable Housing Strategy2014-2019
Creating New HousingNew Affordable Rental Units (250)Affordable Home Ownership Units (100)
Renewing Existing Housing Repair and Revitalization (250)Flexible Housing Assistance Program (100)
as of Dec. 2013
New Supply
HomeOwnership
Rent Supplement TOTAL
TOTAL 1,409 310 343 2,062
Affordable Housing Strategy2001-2013
Questions
Do we have enough affordable housing for seniors in the desired form and location?
What is the need and desired form for affordable housing for seniors in the future?
How do we create new units of affordable housing with shrinking funding from senior levels of governments in order to meet the need for all, including seniors?
