A group working to set up seniors housing in Creemore is conducting a survey to gauge local interest.
The two-page survey, aimed at people 58 and older, asks what people are looking for in terms of housing.
Last year, Creemore resident Wendy Schellenberg spearheaded the formation of the St. John’s Creemore Senior Citizens Foundation, a not-for-profit organization to oversee the creation of the seniors’ apartment complex. They had their eye on a Francis Street property but a deal wasn’t reached so they continue to look. Schellenberg worked as the administrator for a seniors’ housing project in Mount Albert.
The idea at the time was to build 14-16 units in a two-storey building with one- and two-bedroom apartments that would be between 780 and 1,000 square feet. A meeting was held last summer and there was a lot of interest from the community.
The needs and demand survey is required as part of a process of applying for seed money through the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation. Schellenberg said the seed grant secured earlier in the process was forfeited in favour of this new process, which could result in more assistance for start up costs, because the government is now providing more funding for housing.
She said the county did a needs and demand housing study in 2007. At that time there was a need for 126 units in Clearview Township by 2018. She said obviously that won’t happen and that number is even higher now.
The survey must be completed by Oct. 25. Copies are available at the library, Affairs, TD Bank, Creemore Village Pharmacy, Curiosity House Book Store and The Creemore Echo, or by calling Wendy Schellenberg at 705-466-5221.