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Council race: City could do more to house seniors, people with dementia, Ward 5 candidate says

Jerry Desormeaux says he cares about affordable housing
jerry-desormeaux,-Ward-5Sized
Jerry Desormeaux is seeking the council seat in Ward 5. (Supplied)

Jerry Desormeaux says if he is elected he would push for the city to do more with affordable housing for senior citizens and people living with dementia.

In a recent news release, the Ward 5 candidate said he has a few ideas when it comes to affordable, or social, housing. 

“The idea of adjusting a seniors property taxes according to their income to keep them in their homes and install a tax freeze for them,” Desormeaux said. “We could then have job creations to assist them – ie:  lawn care, property maintenance, snow removal, home cleaning services, companionship, help with cooking.”

He also said the city could look at so-called “dementia villages” like one operating in Norway as a new way of caring for people living with the condition.

Below is the full text of the media release from Desormeaux:

Ward 5 Candidate, Jerry Desormeaux, cares about programs for affordable housing for our seniors and people with dementia.

There are many choices to make regarding our aging population. This is one topic in our community that I will be committed to if elected. According to Ontario's senior's page, there are several options for senior housing. Outside of long term care homes, retirement homes are an option.

However, retirement homes do not receive government funding which puts a burden on families.

Social housing and affordable housing programs may also be options, but the availability will depend upon where a senior is located. Contacting our local municipal office would be the best place to start, but, again there is a long waiting list. 

These are Ontario housing programs and such would receive government funding. However, it appears that these are programs that are not limited to seniors.

Alternatives to these options would include:
Adult lifestyle communities;
Co-operative housing;
Life lease projects, and;
Local Health Integration Network Programs (LHIN).

The idea of adjusting a seniors property taxes according to their income to keep them in their homes and install a tax freeze for them.

We could then have job creations to assist them – ie:  lawn care, property maintenance, snow removal, home cleaning services, companionship, help with cooking.

This would help them keep their independence and would not tie up other services.
Improve on better transportation.

Outside of Ontario, there is an example of a dementia village in the Netherlands. Hogeweyk appears to allow residence to live lifestyles similar to what their lives were before being diagnosed with dementia, in terms of the design of their urban living space. I have not been able to determine whether or not this initiative received any funding from the government. This might be something to look further into.

According to a CBC article, there is a version of Hogeweyk in Penetanguishene, Ontario, and according to a National Post article, a dementia village in set to open in Langley, B.C. next year.

Again, if we speak to the ministry directly about this type of project, this might be a good place to start.

There may also be private grants or charitable initiatives that might be helpful.

As for federal or provincial funding options, an option that might be able to assist would be the Ontario Trillium Foundation, which is an agency of the Government of Ontario and is one of Canada's largest granting foundations.

I am hopeful that our municipal office would encourage such homes and programs as well.

Jerry Desormeaux,
Candidate – Ward 5

 


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