While Town staff and council should be commended for supporting a community fridge in Keswick, there is still a serious lack of emergency and transitional housing, and subsidized apartments in Georgina.
The transitional housing on Dalton Rd, operated by the Salvation Army, was built for youth (18-26) and doesn’t meet the needs of older adults.
Meanwhile, Aurora is building a new emergency shelter to replace Porter Place. And other N6 municipalities, like East Gwillimbury, have built new facilities. Why is this not on the Town’s agenda?
There’s also a pressing need for more subsidized housing for low-income seniors, individuals and families.
Since Lakeside Residences opened in 2014, there has been no new construction.
On average, seniors in Georgina must wait nearly eight years for a subsidized apartment, while families must wait close to nine years.
Hopefully, the Town will recognize the need and work with the region to build new subsidized housing.
However, if it does, it should ensure that seniors-only and not mixed apartments are built.
The experience of Lakeside Residences shows that seniors must be separated from younger tenants, especially those with criminal records or mental health and addiction issues.
But don’t hold your breath. It appears, there is no political will to push for transitional and emergency housing or more subsidized apartments.
Indeed, most incumbents did not address the need for more affordable housing for low-income residents during the municipal election.
And at least one councillor, Dan Fellini (Ward 2), campaigned against it.
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