There’s a gaping hole in Niagara-on-the-Lake’s housing landscape, says Cindy Grant and the 15 members of the NOTL Senior Housing Advisory Committee: residents grow up and grow old in NOTL, but have nowhere to go when they can no longer live independently in their homes.
Grant brought that concern to council during Tuesday’s committee of the whole meeting, where she urged members to take action. Council agreed, passing a motion directing town staff to continue working with the committee on the issue.
The NOTL Senior Housing Advisory Committee has been advocating for more than two years for the development of independent-living options with support services for aging residents. Currently, NOTL has no such facilities.
Grant said that communities like St. Catharines have options such as Seasons and Pleasant Manor, among others, but many NOTL seniors don’t want to leave town.
“So many people have had to do that with tears in their eyes, because they don’t want to leave their community,” she said.
She stressed the urgency, citing demographic trends and the increasing demand for senior housing.
“By 2031, one in three NOTL residents will be 65 or older,” she said. “Waitlists are growing for supportive and attainable housing.” She also noted the economic benefits such a development could bring.
Several councillors voiced support, including Coun. Tim Balasiuk.
“I totally agree,” he said. “People live their entire lives in this town only to be shipped out.”
He added, however, that he would prefer to see a larger facility than a smaller one that could become outdated.
Coun. Maria Mavridis asked if seniors are primarily hoping to stay in the Historic Old Town. Grant acknowledged that might not be feasible.
“We are going to have to be a bit realistic,” she said, suggesting seniors may need to live elsewhere in NOTL. However, she emphasized that it’s important people can access Old Town through transit.
Coun. Erwin Wiens raised concerns about whether a new facility would suit the character of its location. Grant said that was a discussion worth having and that council should be involved in shaping the plan.
She also said several developers have expressed strong interest in her organization’s idea, and suggested the site of the old municipal hospital on Wellington Street would be “perfect.”
