York Region is at a turning point. Across city halls and development boards, the focus remains firmly on housing for young families or high end markets. But one of our most pressing demographic shifts is too often overlooked, seniors. As the Region greys, are we truly building homes that meet the needs of our elders, or are we leaving them behind?

A Demographic Shift Already Underway

By 2031, 21.8% of York Region residents will be aged 65 and over, up from 14.6% in 2016, meaning nearly one in five people in the Region will be a senior. (york.ca) And by 2051, that figure is expected to climb to 23%, roughly one in four residents. (york.ca)

Already, seniors outnumber children in York Region, a stark sign of shifting priorities and the urgency for age friendly planning. (york.ca)

Why Our Current Housing Doesn’t Work for Seniors

Large homes that aren’t senior friendly: Many retirees live in sizable detached homes that are costly to maintain, difficult to navigate, and isolating as mobility decreases.

Few mid sized options: Unlike Toronto, York Region offers limited condominium or gentle density housing suited for “empty nesters.” According to CMHC, while downsizing to condos is becoming more common among Canadian seniors, many still opt to remain in their existing homes, often due to lack of suitable alternatives. (the-sun.com)

High costs in retirement residences: Nationally, average rents in standard seniors housing reach $3,075 per month, while subsidised units can drop to $400, but supply is limited. (seniorsite.org)

Long term care shortages: As of recent data, over 48,000 seniors in Ontario are waiting for a long term care bed, straining alternative housing and health services. (oltca.com)

When traditional options are unsuitable or unaffordable, seniors often delay needed moves, especially in older homes that hinder accessibility, or worse, find themselves forced out altogether.

The Human Cost of Unadapted Housing

This isn’t a theoretical problem. In Ontario, hundreds of seniors were recently evicted from a retirement building repurposed as private apartments. One 91 year old resident said of being forced to leave, “It’s a death sentence,” while another lamented “Where are they going to go?” as rents skyrocketed from approximately $1,600 to $4,000, $6,000 per month. (the-sun.com)

These stories reveal what many York Region families already fear, when seniors are displaced, communities fracture, and the real cost, both social and emotional, can’t be measured in real estate alone.

Planning for Senior Friendly Housing

We must rethink housing, not just quantity, but suitability and inclusivity. Here’s what should guide future development:

• Homes should include single level living, wider halls and doorways, non slip flooring, and barrier free bathrooms and thresholds.
• Duplexes, triplexes, townhomes or accessory units (like garden suites) allow seniors to downsize without leaving familiar surroundings. CMHC points out that such options may keep many from aging in place “rather than selling their property.”
• Shared amenities, accessible green space, and multigenerational design help retain social connections, combat isolation, and enhance well being.
• Gratifications and planning tools could support purpose built rental housing for seniors, currently a growing but underserved market. 
• New senior housing must be close to transit, health centres, and community hubs, which could ease pressure on home care and emergency services.

An Intergenerational Opportunity

Failing to build right sized, accessible housing for seniors isn’t a niche issue, it impacts housing supply and affordability across the board. When older homeowners stay in homes too big for them, fewer come to market for growing families. Behaviour change from either end can ease pressure on the market.

Moreover, well planned senior housing can generate economic benefits, reducing pressure on long term care waitlists relieves hospital strain, accessible communities cost less to adapt over time.

York Region is aging. That’s not cause for alarm, but call to action. The question isn’t if we need senior housing, it’s how we build it. Let’s ensure the homes of tomorrow are affordable, accessible, socially connected, and positioned where seniors already live. Because in doing so, we build a community that works for all ages, including ourselves, someday.