As Niagara-on-the-Lake’s newly recognized 2026 Senior of the Year, Cindy Grant is being honoured for years of volunteer service. The issue now commanding much of her attention is the shortage of housing options for older residents who don’t want to give up living in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Grant, who received the town honour in June, has spent the past two years leading the Niagara-on-the-Lake Senior Housing Advisory Committee.
Since its creation, she said, the group has secured support from town council and staff and identified two potential sites for an independent living facility, while continuing to press governments, developers and property owners to help bring a project to fruition.
“There’s no other alternatives in town for senior independent living,” she said.
The committee was formed to raise awareness of the lack of housing options for seniors who no longer want to remain in single-family homes but are not ready for, or do not need, long-term care.
Grant said the group has met with town officials, other levels of government, developers and property owners. While there has not yet been what she called an “explicit achievement” in the form of construction, she believes the committee has made progress by putting the issue firmly on the public agenda.
In March last year, the group presented the results of a survey it conducted on senior housing options in NOTL. The survey found the majority of NOTL residents are living in single-family homes, with 55 per cent of respondents answering that they are currently considering changes but have no plans in place.
“We just need to get some forward motion happening on them. But at least the issue is on the table,” she said. “We have full support of town council and town staff. It’s just a matter of putting all of the various bits and pieces together to make something happen.”
The two potential sites identified for future development are the former hospital property on Wellington Street and land at Veterans Memorial Park beside the Royal Canadian Legion branch on King Street.
Grant said many older residents she speaks to on a regular basis feel fortunate to be able to live in Niagara-on-the-Lake — they’re frustrated, however, by the lack of housing choices that would allow them to stay in the community as their needs change.
“It’s a function of land availability,” she said. “It’s a function of the most appropriate piece of land and the most appropriate location with the right developer that is able to building something on that property.”
Some residents have already left Niagara-on-the-Lake to find independent living accommodations elsewhere, while others are choosing to remain in their homes while waiting for local options to become available.
“They will take advantage of something when and if it happens. But for now, they’re very happy to live in this town, to continue to live in this town.”
Grant was named the town’s 2026 Senior of the Year through a provincial program administered by the Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility, which allows each Ontario municipality to recognize one resident over 65 for contributions to community life.
Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa presented her with the award during the town’s annual Strawberry Social on June 24.
“I’m very honoured to be recognized,” said Grant. “It certainly wasn’t anything that I was expecting … I was very, very surprised, but pleased.”
Grant moved to NOTL in 2009 and has volunteered extensively in the community. She spent nearly a decade managing Newark Neighbours, the town’s food bank, and recently completed a one-year term as president of the Rotary Club of NOTL.
“I’ve really enjoyed every minute of it,” she said of volunteering. “It’s important to me to be able to give back to my community at this point in my life.”
