THE CALL OF COMMUNAL LIVING

CO-HOUSING IS A CONCEPT that’s not new to Canada. A group of older likeminded people get together and buy shares in an existing house. The house is then renovated in an age-friendly manner and run like a fractional – residents split the costs of food, utilities, taxes, insurance, maintenance, property management, etc.

The idea is they can age in place affordably in the community without losing their privacy or independence as they might in a seniors residence. British Columbia has embraced the idea – there are 17 co-housing projects currently running in that province, followed by Ontario with five and Saskatchewan with three.

In order to further these alternative living opportunities, CARP’s Barrie Chapter has been working toward the promotion of co-housing for a number of years. In a letter from chapter chair Gwen Kavanagh to her MPP Ann Hoggarth, she spells out that the Ontario budget doesn’t allocate enough money to meet the housing needs for all the province’s senior citizens.

To overcome this hurdle, Kavanagh proposes that the Ontario Government provide the necessary funding to build and/or renovate 100 co-housing homes in communities throughout the province. The government would provide an interestfree loan over a term of five years to take care of build- ing or renovation costs. And, as the units are sold, the monies from the sale of the suites would be paid back to the province.

“Traditional models of senior housing just aren’t cutting it,” says Wanda Morris, CARP’s director of advocacy. “CARP strongly supports a Canada-wide roll out of innovative solutions like the one proposed by our Barrie Chapter.”

Because it’s a low-cost plan that fills the gap of affordable seniors’ housing, cash-strapped provinces should find it appealing.

“And, instead of being forced into high-rise senior residences, people can choose where and with whom they live,” says Morris.

Not only does this co-hous- ing concept solve the critical shortage of affordable housing for seniors but it addresses a number of other issues as well, including:

Prevents escalation of health problems

Splits expenses among residents, making living costs more affordable

Provides support with activities of daily living

Reduces isolation and the likelihood of elder abuse

Eliminates worries of geographically challenged family members

Meets all requirements of the provincial initiative to Age at Home and remain independent

Maintains community linkages and engagements

Employs up to seven local staff