pf_03214 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Particularly needed are rental units for older people, as well as for young people just starting out and young families with children. People in these population groups may have been leaving - to seek rental housing in other communities. In fact, only 30 percent of the older people in - currently live in rental housing, compared to 63 percent ofthe older people in the nearby community of -, which has a variety of rental housing options for older people. In addition to standard rental units, the city might also want to consider the development of one-story rental townhouses or co-operative units, especially for empty-nesters and older people, some of whom might wish to spend the winter months in warmer climates without having to worry about their housing. While co-ops may often be considered a type of homeownership more than rental housing, they could be used to meet a part of the need that would otherwise be met with rental units. Other Attached Housing Recommendation: Add about 99 ownership townhouses or condominiums, primarily for older people. The need for attached rental housing is covered above. This category includes attached ownership housing. The city of - has more of this type of housing than many other suburban communities, with an existing supply of 501 units. The need for this type of housing by the year 2010, however, is for about 600 units to meet the needs of young families, empty-nesters and older people. This is a difference of about 99 units. As with the development of new rental housing, it may be difficult to find sufficient vacant land to build new attached ownership units, but the city is encouraged to find sites for as many of the units as possible. One alternative to building attached ownership units could be to explore the possibility of converting existing blocks of single-family detached, preferably one-story homes to more user-fiiendly alternatives for older people, or perhaps for young single-parent households, or others who could use help with their lawn mowing, snow shoveling and other exterior maintenance work. Neighborhood associations could be established with monthly fees for association-provided maintenance services, similar to the associations for townhouse and condominium developments. If the primary residents of the block were young families with children, perhaps the street could be narrowed or reconfigured to offer re-designed outdoor play areas for the children. It is quite possible that a demonstration project of this type, either with housing for older people or young families, or a mixture of ages, could be eligible for a foundation or government grant for innovative housing ideas. Many cities with increasing populations of older people and little vacant land, but with blocks of ramblers and other one-story homes, 22