Officials with Canadore College and the District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board cut the ribbon Wednesday morning at a new apartment complex at 861 Commercial St.
The selection process is underway to choose older adults to move in and share the building with students.
The tenancy model was forged between the board and Canadore where older adults and college students will live together in a village-style setting.
“It’s going to provide housing at a reasonable rent to seniors,” said Jill Shields, Senior Advisory Group Engagement team member.
A total of 61 apartment units will be available -- 39 of them are ready now and another 22 units will be ready May 1. Each unit has two bedrooms with shared common areas
“We do see it on the horizon where many folks will be looking at selling their homes and then what’s next?” Shields said.
“Where do we go?”
Students studying health and social programs can move in to help seniors and get hands-on experience. Some staff will be living in the building, as well. Students will live with each other, while adults will live together. Tenants will be paired as roommates using the same matching process Canadore College employs for student residence.
“This pattern that we devised here should be replicated right across the province,” said board chair Mark King.
“I’ve done that with my cohorts right across northern Ontario. I’ve told them what we’ve done here.”
The units will be incorporated into Canadore College’s Village model and the complex will have social, health and wellness services and activities for tenants on site.
“There will be more to come on that as attendees come into the building and we determine what they need,” said Canadore president George Burton.
“I’m really happy that Canadian Shield is going to be providing some health services through nursing on-site.”
Priority will be given to adults 55 and older from the board’s subsidized housing waitlist and the coordinated access Nipissing prioritization list. Currently, there are more than 1,500 people on the list.
:I had that feeling and it was like a happy dance because I know how difficult it is for a lot of people in their living circumstances," King said.
Burton said many people on the list have “financial challenges in securing accommodations” and have been waiting for a long time.
The college is expecting the units will be full by the fall when the tenant selection process is complete and students return to school.
The hope is that the new model will reduce some of the stigma around affordable housing.
To access the waiting list, contact the board’s housing access at 705-474-2151, ext. 45589, or via email at housingaccess@dnssab.ca.
