With an aging population, Rocky View County (RVC) planners are looking for feedback from county residents to better understand the housing needs of seniors. Residents aged 55 or older are invited to attend a number of sessions from June 15 to 19 to provide input on their current and future needs.
“This is going to be a significant issue for the province and the county at wide, as the population gets older,” said Corwin McCullagh, manager of recreation and community support with RVC. “With seniors switching over to fixed incomes, the affordability of appropriate housing becomes very important.”
The county has already completed a preliminary report containing recommendations from the needs assessment and housing inventory completed in May by SHS Consulting. This report identified some priorities for RVC to keep in mind when developing new plans for the county, but McCullagh said the upcoming sessions are an opportunity to receive feedback from residents.
“Our first round of engagement was right in the middle of the Tim Horton’s Brier, which meant representation was not as strong as we would have liked,” McCullagh said. “We also expanded our locations, because we realize that due to the size of the county, it’s easier for people to get to closer places. We are also hosting these sessions in the evening instead of the afternoon and we are anticipating a better turnout.”
According to McCullagh, a key factor seniors in RVC hope to see incorporated into the plan is the opportunity to maintain the rural lifestyle they are accustomed to as they age. Depending on where they live in the county, McCullagh said residents are at a number of different income levels.
“They are all still looking for independent living, and there is a whole spectrum of housing opportunities that exist depending on income, age, and mobility – and that’s what we are looking at creating,” McCullagh said. “That’s the challenge.”
He said many younger residents aren’t considering what their housing needs might be in 10 or 15 years, but added this is the chance to provide input.
“This is a big issue that not a lot of people are really acknowledging, but there are still people who are looking on the horizon and wondering where they will live and what their quality of life will be as a result,” McCullagh said. “We need these residents to confirm whether our recommendations are sound. Does it hit the mark? Is this the way the county should move in the future to make sure these needs are met?”
To view the preliminary report and to see dates and locations of upcoming sessions, visit rockyview.ca and select the News and Events tab, then select News and Seniors’ Housing Needs Assessment Sessions.
