A4 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, February 9, 2000 Halton seniors facing housing crunch: report By Irene Gentle SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Homelessness has begun tarnishing the golden years of Halton seniors. They're facing an increasingly precarious future due to a dearth of affordable housing, long-term care beds and emergency shelters, according to the chair of Halton's Elderly Services Advisory Committee (ESAC), Dr. Lloyd Gesner. And an aging population means the demand will keep growing, Dr. Gesner told the region's health and social services committee last week. "The data says the senior population in Halton will increase," he said. "It says it will be poorer." According to an ESAC interim report on the issue, about 51 Halton seniors are homeless. But many more are at risk of being unable to find proper shelter. Currently, 868 seniors are waiting for subsidized housing and 287 are lined up for supportive hous ing. Another 600 are on a waiting list to get into a long-term care facility. "The concept is relative homelessness," explained Dr. Gesner. "Or seniors living in spaces where they are at risk." A number of circumstances can conspire to make seniors vulnerable in their own homes. They include living with no income due to immigration sponsorship or a meager fixed income. Poor physical and mental health, separation from family or friends, transportation and mobility prob lems as well as language barriers can combine to put seniors at risk of poor living conditions. But skyrocketing costs contribute to the difficul ties of finding suitable shelter. According to the ESAC report, there are 37,435 seniors living in Halton, or about 11% of the total population. Of those, more than 50% live on incomes of $20,000 or less. Just under 15% live below the poverty line, calculated as $14,473 for single seniors. With an income of $20,000, affordable housing would cost $500 monthly or less - or 30% of total earnings. But the average rent in Halton is $806. The result is 28% of all Halton seniors spend more than 30% of their income on shelter. But that number soars when it comes to single seniors living in poverty. O f those, 64% of homeowners and 43% of renters lay down more than 30% of their income on putting a roof over their heads. And if affordability isn't an issue, accessibility may be. Problems with mobility can prevent some seniors from accessing the second floor of a home. And narrow doors and hallways can seal off entire areas to the wheelchair dependent. But even the nimble-minded and able-bodied are facing a housing crunch, said Dr. Gesner. "ESAC is also aware there is a lack of options for seniors who live independently, but for some reason want to downsize," said Dr. Gesner. The health committee endorsed the ESAC report, calling for the group to return within a year with more information. In the meantime, committee members approved a recommendation to involve developers and other levels of government in the debate. A regional public forum on housing for seniors is expected to be take place this spring. But the elderly need to actively lobby on hous ing issues, said Milton Councillor Rick Malboeuf. He referred to a recent Milton town council ,, meeting where a bid for geared to seniors bunga lows was drowned in a flood of opposition from nearby residents. "We went on to the early hours of the morning debating an issue like what's in front of us here," he said. "Basically, there was no one speaking on behalf of the seniors." Complete wardrobes f o r newborn to 12 years ,f o r children at surprising affordable prices. Available exclusively at & IA N A B a b y m in i · C a tim in i · F ra n co ise B o u th illie r · C la y e u x · P e tite B o y * C o o p e r · L e m u r · M a rin u s · B eb e C o cco li · C la ir e K id s · F rou F rou · A nna B a s s e tti · I a n a · M on C h e v a l d e B ois · C e rte x · 9, & 0 N O T IC E O F P U B L IC M E E T IN G A meeting open to the public is being hosted by Metrus Development Inc. to seek public input and comments for a proposed residential subdivision identi fied on the map below. Metrus Development Inc. has purchased the lands from Shell Canada and is canvassing the public prior to submitting an application to the Town of Oakville. Lear worker charged with assault A Lear Seating Canada em ployee has been charged with assaulting a co-worker at the Oakville assem bly plant. H a l t o n Regional Police were called to investigate an assault complaint at the Bristol Circle m anufac turing plant on Jan. 21st. Charged with assault causing bodily harm is Tom Viola, 27, of Eighth Line, Oakville. He is sched uled to appear in O a k v i l l e Provincial Court on Feb. 29th. SQ U A R E O N E S H O P P IN G C E N T R E S h e rw a y G a rd e n s S H O P P IN G C E N T R E A future formal public meeting will be held at a date to be determined under the requirements of the Planning Act, after the official application has been filed. (9 0 5 ) 2 7 9 -4 0 8 0 (4 1 6 ) 6 6 2 -6 6 5 8 The Meeting is as follows: PLACE: Holiday Inn Express Hotel 2525 Wyecroft Road Oakville DATE: TIME: Thursday, February 10, 2000 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (Ita n iu m -Rebecca Street M A Y TA G l * l e t r u s takeOntarfo / X , fW e d d in g · C o n v e n tio n b a n q u e t * P ic n ic fa c ilitie s The Largest Facility in the area Accommodating from 10 to 900 Elegant Banquet Rooms Grand Rotunda Foyer School Graduations Ample Free Parking In a Park Setting Utighest Quality Service and Cuisine Different foods last longer at different tem peratures. N O W ! St. Volodymyr Cultural Centre T e l: ( 9 0 5 ) 8 4 7 - 6 4 7 7 Maytag* Gemini' Range / = = = = = = = \ Tw oSeparate O vens. O neCom plete M eal: Maytag* Dishwashers Clean The First Time! SAV E Fax: (905) 847-6478 1280 Dundas St. West, Oakville, Ontario L6J 4Z3 (Hwy. #5 at 4th Line south) Special fW edding Packages J n te m a tio m l Selection of c A te n u s /