Housing Action Forum for West End older adults

A $25,000 Solutions for Seniors Seed Grant allocated to Gordon Neighbourhood House in August, 2009, is sprouting action on behalf of seniors who want to age in place in the West End of Vancouver.

In response to a growing loss of affordable rental housing in the West End, a partnership of community groups launched the West End Seniors Affordable Housing Initiative to help renters at risk of losing their homes.

Gordon Neighbourhood House partnered with the West End Residents Association (WERA), Women In Search of Housing Society (WISHS), The West End Seniors Network (WESN) and local rental advocate, Sharon Isaak, to deliver much needed rental housing assistance to West End residents caught in the current affordable housing crisis.  “Renovictions”, rising market rents, above-guideline rent increases, and changes to the Residential Tenancy Act are all factors forcing many long-term renters out of the West End community.  Seniors and older adults in the West End are particularly vulnerable to being displaced from their homes.

The West End Affordable Housing Initiative recognizes that the ability to age in place is fundamentally important to a sustainable community, and aims to support West End seniors to stay in their rental homes.  This program will provide seniors with practical education about tenancy laws and their rights as renters, and connect seniors to support programs and existing resources in the community about housing options.

The partnership of community groups will deliver practical support and education in two key ways.  One, by hosting two community forums about relevant housing issues and two, by providing a Senior Rental Outreach Coordinator available at Gordon Neighbourhood House to provide one-on-one outreach support to seniors.

The first forum, The Right to Rent: Aging in Place, is set for 2 pm, Sunday Nov. 22 at Gordon Neighbourhood House, 1019 Broughton Street. Several presenters will provide education about current rental challenges facing the community and will introduce programs, services and resources available to seniors, followed by an interactive session with participants.

A second forum will be held in the spring of 2010. The second forum will build on the information and feedback from the first forum, and bring together partnerships to explore alternative solutions to affordable housing issues facing older adults and seniors in the West End.

Senior Housing Outreach Coordinator Sharon Isaak will be available at Gordon Neighbourhood House on Thursday mornings to assist West End residents with their rental housing concerns.

The collaborative project is made possible through the United Way Solutions for Seniors Seed Grant, which provided an opportunity for community groups to generate locally-relevant solutions about key issues affecting seniors, one of which is affordable and supportive housing in the community.