Idea for senior's housing in Schomberg sparks interest, but little support so far
By Bill Rea plenty of talk over recent years

There's been plenty of talk over recent years that housing for seniors is needed in King Township.

Agroup has a plan to develop such housing in Schomberg, and their ideas were presented to Township council recently. Councillors agreed to refer the matter to the economic development staff.

They are eying lands on the east side of Highway 27, owned by James Durbano on the southern portion of the village.

Frank Folz, executive director of the Coalition for Affordable Housing in York Region, explained his group is a coalition of faith communities in the area.

Both he and Dr. Michael Shapcott, senior fellow at the Wellesley Institute, stressed the need for seniors' housing is a growing issue.

Shapcott pointed out the number of senior households are growing faster than that of any other segment of the population, and that the number of low-income seniors is growing faster than the overall seniors' population. He added the existing markets are not offering affordable homes for the elderly, and that the 2005 Provincial Policy Statement requires municipalities to provide affordable accommodation to all, especially those with special needs, like seniors.

"We're all getting older," he remarked, adding the big demographic shift is being complicated by the fact people are living longer. "It has profound implications."

One of those implications is there are not enough homes, and and those that are available are too costly for many seniors to own or rent. "The trends are going exactly in the wrong direction," he added.

As well, he said the vacancy levels in King are lower than they are in York or Toronto.

Shapcott also cited the Region's Vision 2026 growth strategy, which has stated there will be three times the current number of people over the age of 50 in 19 years than there are now.

When seniors reach a certain age, they become more interested in smaller accommodations, although Shapcott said they are still "concerned with the quality of their homes and neighbourhoods."

"We think we can be of some assistance in meeting the need," Folz remarked.

He said the property they are considering consists of some 97 acres. Some of the site is on the provincial Greenbelt, but 40 acres are part of the Schomberg Community Plan, and they hope they can build this retirement community on 25 of them. They envision a community that will provide a continuum of care. As the residents get older, there will be other options available to meet their needs. "It's a total integrated solution," he said.

Folz said they are planning to have a variety of housing options.

As well, he said such a development will need the support of employment lands, so they are proposing to develop about 15 acres along Highway 27 to attract high-tech businesses.

Folz told councillors this was the only piece of property of the appropriate size they could find in York, pointing out it was bought by a developer some 40 years ago.

"Guess what," he declared. "It's within our price range."

He told councillors they were seeking permission to take a closer look at the property and do an employment study at their own cost. They hope to determine things like how many jobs would be created from this proposals. Folz said they estimate every six seniors living in the facility will generate one job.

He added they are hoping to take the results from this study and plug them into the community plan, as well as the Region's Official Plan. "We think we can exceed the potential under the current designated use," he remarked, adding they could also increase the local tax assessments, all at no cost to the Township.

Councillor Cleve Mortelliti pointed out the lands are slated for industrial development, and he wondered if more suitable property could be found somewhere for housing seniors. "This doesn't seem to be a good fit to me," he remarked.

Folz said they have talked to many developers, and this was the first one willing to work with them.

Councillor Jeff Laidlaw said he had no trouble with looking at other uses for the land. But he was concerned about things like transportation and infrastructure, especially medical infrastructure, which he said would be costly. Folz said the people make the proposal are prepared to bear the costs. For now, he said they just want to take a look.

"We won't be back if we can't rise to the challenge," he remarked.

Councillor Jack Rupke also had his doubts that this is the best site for what's proposed. He said the needs of seniors are great, but pointed out other groups have been able to find property for such developments in places like Aurora.

"I don't know where to go here,' he remarked, suggesting the matter be referred to some committee, like the Township's economic development committee.

Councillor Bill Cober agreed more information is needed, pointing out this issue represents a challenge that is being felt throughout society.