Elderberry Senior Cohousing Chillwack, BC
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Housing Study: Elderberry Senior Cohousing Chillwack, BC Prepared By M’akola Development Services October, 2014 M’akola Development Services (MDS) is a member of the M’akola Group of Societies. Incorporated in 1988, Mis’Kow’aao has provided development and project management services for over 30 affordable housing projects for aboriginal and non-aboriginal clients. Contact Information: Kevin Albers, Chief Executive Officer [email protected] (250) 880-1666 Kaela Schramm, Development Services Planner [email protected] (778) 677-8843 ii Table of Contents Introduction . 3 Cohousing . 3 Scope of Study . 4 Study Area . 5 Population . 7 Housing and Income . 8 Senior Cohousing Need and Demand . 12 Conclusion. 17 iii This Page is Intentionally Left Blank iv Executive Summary In this report, the need and demand for senior cohousing in the Chilliwack area is explored by examining current community and housing profiles, as well as by examining total and senior population projections over the next decade. We also research and explicate the benefits of senior cohousing in contrast to other continuums of care by identifying the limitations of current service provisions for seniors in the Chilliwack area. After reviewing all of the data, it is clear that the total and senior population of the City of Chilliwack is increasing, as it is across Canada as the “baby boomer” generation ages. In addition, based on past growth patterns, population projections indicate that the population will continue to growth over the next decade. Senior cohousing provides cost-effective solutions to healthy aging in place. Moreover, cohousing supports physical and emotional security, as well as a sense of community, or of belonging. Given that absorption rates of new housing stocks are high, and that current housing compositions reveal a strong desire amongst seniors to live with family members (i.e. a support structure), there is both an identifiable need as well as demand for senior cohousing in Chilliwack. 1 This Page is Intentionally Left Blank 2 Introduction Cohousing Research indicates that as seniors’ age and experience History a loss in mobility, they often suffer from social isolation and from separation from community. This often The concept of cohousing originated in Denmark results in feelings of loneliness, disempowerment back in the 1960’s, with the aim of creating and even depression and thus profoundly effects intergenerational communities by developing seniors’ mental, physical and spiritual well being. private homes around shared facilities. Residents Senior cohousing diminishes barriers to inclusion of cohousing would design, own and manage by means of creating community within ones the entire community. At this time, the concept of living space. Not only does cohousing provide cohousing primarily attracted younger families, as opportunities for seniors to develop meaningful designs were often less than “senior-friendly”. Due relationships, but it provides opportunities for them to this, the concept of senior cohousing emerged in to receive care from trusted individuals, rather than the 1990’s in Denmark, which empowered seniors to from strangers or from individuals merely “doing drive the cohousing development, so that designs their job.” could be uniquely planned and implemented, so as to support their diverse needs and thus support Notions to explore the need and demand for senior them to healthily age in place. Although cohousing cohousing in the Chilliwack area emerged after the communities have now emerged in varying parts successful development of Yarrow Ecovillage, which of North America, senior cohousing remains a proved to be an effective social and economical relatively new concept in Canada; there is only one living arrangement for families. In light of this, operating senior cohousing community, with three founders of Elderberry Cohousing engaged M’akola new projects underway (Globe and Mail, 2012). Development Services to understand if there is both a need and demand for seniors cohousing to be included in the Yarrow Ecovillage. Features of Cohousing The key feature of cohousing is “co-caring”. Co-caring can be defined as residents supporting each other’s daily activity needs – from laundry, to errands, to providing personal care and more, so as to limit the need of requiring support from health care professionals. Not only does cohousing diminish economic burdens on our health care system, but it also provides an array of health benefits to residents, which will be discussed shortly. Residents of cohousing own their own private dwelling unit, but share a common house, which provides spaces for common dining, kitchen, laundry, offices, guest rooms, and recreational opportunities, to name a few. Research indicates that cohousing supports better physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health, provides opportunities to develop meaningful friendships and engage in social contact, promotes safety, security and affordability and in addition, 3 enhances utilization of shared resources (Charles Durnett, 2009). Scope of Study Elderberry The scope of this study is limited to seniors residing Elderberry is an elder cohousing community in the City of Chilliwack. It is important to note, intended for individuals and couples who want to however, that senior cohousing has been proven to live in a beautiful rural physical environment, as well draw people to relocate from broader regions, even as in a supportive and co-caring social environment, from outside the country and thereby, the needs in an energy efficient home as they grow older. and demands delineated in this report likely expand Elderberry cohousing is intended for those who to seniors residing in other cities across the province “want to live in the country but have the advantages and country, as well as to seniors residing in other of a village.” Elderberry is made up of regular people countries. who are passionate about finding a better way to live their lives. Methodology The Elderberry vision is to “create a thriving senior For this study, we utilized data obtained from the cohousing community where members work Canadian Census Subdivision for the years 1996, together on activities of interest (farming, gardening, 2001, 2006, and 2011, as well as from a geometric food preservation, cooking, crafts, etc) and continue population projection, which was incorporated to to contribute to one another and to our wider determine the potential population for the years community/world as long as they are able.” 2016, 2021 and 2026. These years were chosen for purposes of forecasting the general housing needs and demand, as well as the cohousing market, amongst the estimated senior population in the City of Chilliwack over the next decade to come. The basis of this study was formed by integrating population projection data, socio-economic data collected from the 2006 Canadian Census (there is limited data available from 2011 census), and housing/rental market data collected from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). CMHC data was used to understand homeownership and rental market conditions, vacancies and costs, in order to further evaluate the viability of senior cohousing in Chilliwack. Further, data was also collected through an interview with the Executive Director of the Seniors Resource Society in the City of Chilliwack, for purposes of collecting qualitative data to support quantitative findings, as a means to present a complete, comprehensive discussion regarding senior cohousing need and demand in the City of Chilliwack. 4 Limitations Study Area Unfortunately, we were unable to engage in conversation with seniors residing in the City of Chilliwack, which requires this study to rely on, and The study area for this report is the City of Chilliwack, to extrapolate from, information collected from the British Columbia, which is located in the upper Executive Director of the Seniors Resource Society – Fraser Valley, approximately 100 kilometres east with regards to seniors’ health care and home care of Vancouver, along the Trans Canada Highway. needs and demands. This means that we are relying Chilliwack is the third oldest municipality in on perceived needs, as opposed to actual needs. British Columbia; the Township of Chilliwack was In addition, only a limited amount of 2011 census incorporated in 1873 – a time when steamboats were subdivision data is available, particularly in regards the main mode of transportation for both goods and to income, which requires this study to utilize and passengers in the area. See map on following page. draw upon data available from 2006, as opposed to current data. In 1881 a large subdivision titled Centreville was developed, which became re-named as “Chilliwhack” in 1887. In 1908 the area was incorporated as a separate municipality, the City of Chilliwack, which Definition of Terms co-exited with the Township for 72 years. In 1980 the City and Township merged to form the District The terms outlined below are used throughout of Chilliwack, and in 1999 (fairly recently) the District the study. Definitions are provided to clarify their of Chilliwack became, and currently remains, the meaning, so as to prevent misunderstandings or City of Chilliwack. The term “Chilliwack” came from a lack of credibility. local Indian tribe as well as a geographic description of the area. Originally spelled “Chilliwhack”, this Core Housing Need: Households are in core housing “Halkomelem” word means “quieter water at the need if they live in housing that is inadequate, head” or travel by way of a backwater. unsuitable, or unaffordable and would have to spend 30% or more of their total before-tax household Chilliwack has long been known for its rich income to pay the median rent/mortgage of a agricultural capacity and boundless outdoor suitable alternative in the local housing market recreational activities, such as hiking, horseback (CMHC, 2014). riding, fishing, golfing and biking; to this day, it is still recognized for its parks, recreation and culture. The Seniors: Unless otherwise noted, the term “seniors” Yarrow area (the proposed Elderberry location) is 12 refers to individuals aged 65 and over.