Housing Statement

Overwhelmingly, women want the option of aging in place, not only in their own homes but also in their own communities. Furthermore they want choices to be available when making such decisions.

Financial concerns dominate all others in relation to availability of housing. In addition, mid-life and older women fear increasing frailty and loss of health with very little evidence of services that will be available to them in order for them to stay in their own homes.

As women reach the mid-life and later years, they are more likely than men to live alone, have low incomes, and be renters. The percentage of older women living alone has been increasing annually since 1960. (The Housing Factor Project, Older Women’s Network, June 2000, p. 145).

In 1998 researcher Marion M. Lynn carried out on behalf of the Older Women’s Network The Housing Factor Project, Housing Needs of Mid-Life and Older Women. The research was conducted in six Ontario communities: Hamilton-Wentworth; Older Women’s Network (Toronto); Ottawa-Carleton; West Parry Sound District; South Asians – Toronto and the Municipality of Tweed. The report is organized to present the reader with some background context before reviewing housing options.

The Hamilton chapter of OWN took the knowledge gleaned from this research project, and their own experience, to city council who agreed immediately to put it to good use.

In Peterborough, the OWN chapter also took advantage of knowledge gleaned from the housing research project. Responding to women’s local housing needs it acquired an old rectory and in transforming it put to use what it had learned from the research.

In 1995 construction began on an ambitious OWN housing project, a co-operative building for both older women and other residents of mixed age, including children, Its construction coincided with the election of the Mike Harris government and it took a massive lobbying effort to prevent its cancellation.

Situated in downtown Toronto the 142-unit building was completed in 1997 when the first residents moved in to one and two-bedroom units, including seven one-bedroom wheelchair accessible apartments.

The majority of apartments are subsidized and it is a diverse, secure and peaceful community where all members agree to be good neighbours of one another. ADD LINK

Ann Farrell and her cat Henry is a long-time member. She has served on its board of directors and various co-op committees and says: "After a long and often fruitless search for safe and affordable housing, OWN Co-op has not only been that for me, it is also a great community in which to live. Although there’s public transit at my door, I can also walk to grocery and other stores, theatres, movies, restaurants, my doctor’s, and it’s just a short walk to Toronto’s lakeshore."

OWN continues to encourage, support and work with other senior and women’s groups as well as OWN chapters in ongoing efforts to persuade all levels of government to keep their promises and honour their obligations.

OWN would welcome hearing from women who are interested in supporting this work on a vital need in our communities.

January 2005