Temagami Senior Citizens Survey Results

Transcription

1 Temagami Senior Citizens Housing Survey District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board (DNSSAB); August, 2007 Temagami Senior Citizens Survey Results District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board (DNSSAB), August 2007

2 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS DNSSAB would like to thank Temagami s senior citizen survey participants, for their valuable time and input on housing. Thanks also to the municipal Staff and Councilors who helped coordinate the survey implementation, and to the staff at Temagami Seniors Home Support who distributed and collected the surveys. Temagami Senior Citizens Housing Survey, August /07 2

3 Survey Methodology Objective The Temagami Senior Citizens Survey was undertaken as part of a larger senior s survey that is being implemented in specific municipalities throughout Nipissing District. These surveys are presently being conducted by the District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board (DNSSAB), in conjunction with the Nipissing District Housing Needs, Supply & Affordability Study. The results of the Temagami survey have been tabulated and analyzed separately from the other municipalities, in order to provide the municipality with additional information, for its consideration in conducting an independent, seniors housing feasibility study. Additionally, as the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program is currently being rolled out, these survey results can assist the municipality with determining effective program utilization. Survey Sample The survey had a 72% completion rate: 50 surveys were distributed and 36 were completed. Of the 36 people who responded to the survey: 31 were seniors ages 65 and over, and 5 were pre-retirement seniors, ages (while the national age definition of senior citizen is age 65 and over, the housing needs of this pre-retirement group are also being considered in the housing study). This gives an approximate response rate of the target populations, of 17% and 3% respectively. 1 Survey & Analysis Method The survey was designed by the DNSSAB Researcher with input from DNSSAB s Manager of Community Housing and the Affordable Housing Program Facilitator. It consisted of 32 questions, of which 25 questions were directly related to housing and 6 questions were general demographic and income questions. The survey was non-scientific and consisted of a paper-based questionnaire which did not require the personal identification of the respondents. The survey was administered with the assistance of Temagami Seniors Home Support, who distributed the questionnaire to its members during May June, Values are stated as percentages and have been rounded off totals will not always add up to Temagami s senior citizen population (65 yrs. +) is approximately 180 people and its pre-retirement age group (55-64) is approximately 170 people. Ref: Statistics Canada, census Temagami Senior Citizens Housing Survey, August /07 3

4 Results Interpretation, Confidentiality and Survey Limitationn Due to the small populations of rural municipalities such as Temagami, caution should be exercised when interpreting survey results. For example, Temagami s senior citizen population (65 yrs. +) is approximately 180 people (2006) which in statistical and population-terms is a relatively small number to start with. When a small sample of this target population is surveyed and further segmented into specific categories or streams (such as owners and renters, age groups, incomes, etc.) this number becomes even smaller. Thus a large percentage in a given category can represent a relatively small number of responses. Additionally, while cross-tabulating answers amongst certain respondents can provide additional valuable information, it can undermine confidentiality where small samples are concerned. For this reason, although cross-tabulations have been performed in the analysis, they are not reported directly in the survey results. Where cross-tabulations indicate something of significance or relevance to the research, they are reported in a general way and percentages and absolute numbers are not stated. Finally, while 12% is a reasonable response rate and somewhat representative of Temagami s senior citizen population, the survey is non-scientific and caution should be applied when making inferences about the total senior s population. Some questions have relatively large numbers of non-response due to the respondent not answering or missing the question. Additionally, one question was misinterpreted by some respondents, resulting in their answers being excluded from the results. These questions are noted as they appear in the report. Report This report was prepared by David Plumstead, MBA; DNSSAB Researcher. Temagami Senior Citizens Housing Survey, August /07 4

5 Survey Results Summary The Survey Respondents 53% of the survey respondents are married and 47% are widowed. 14% are ages 55-64, 50% are ages 65-74, 33% are ages and 3% are 85 yrs.+ 67% have annual incomes less than $30k while 14% have incomes between $31k - $50k. 3% have incomes between $51 - $70k. Present Housing Arrangements 75% of the survey respondents are homeowners while 25% are renters. 90% of the renters are widows who are satisfied with their housing and will not need to move in the near future. The majority of the owners have lived in their houses for 25 years or longer and will need to move in the near future. Close to 75% of the respondents did not experience any difficulty in finding their housing renters did not have any difficulty. 69% of the survey respondents are satisfied with their present housing while 31% are not satisfied. The majority of the 31% who are not satisfied with their present housing are owners, who give the following reasons for not being satisfied: it is becoming too much work, it is costly to maintain and it is hard to get around. Future Housing Arrangements Approximately 60% of the owners will need to move in the near future. The main reasons for needing to move are: the inability to maintain the house, deteriorating health /fitness and general ageing. Half of the owners who need to move, do not know where they will move to. Most of these owners are on waiting lists approximately 50% have been waiting 1-5 years while the other 50% has been waiting over 5 years. Trading in their houses for apartments appears to be the preferred option of these owners who need to move. Top Three (3) Housing Needs The top three housing needs of owners are: to move into an apartment, affordability and accessibility. The top needs of renters are for more space and modified units (hallway railings, bathroom medical bars, etc.). Temagami Senior Citizens Housing Survey, August /07 5

6 Community Housing Support Services The majority of the survey respondents indicate they do not require community housing support services. Source of Income The primary source of income for respondents is Old Age Security (OAS) followed by pension plans. The main source of additional income is the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) followed by Old Age Security (OAS). 46% of the respondents rely on Government transfers (OAS, CPP) as a primary source of income while 54% rely on other sources (Pension Plans, RRSPs, employment income and RRIFs). Of the 46% who rely on Government transfers as a primary income source, half of these are renters and half are owners. Proportionately however, the renters are overrepresented, i.e., 100% of the renter respondents rely on the Government as a primary income source vs. 30% for owners. As a secondary source of income, almost all the respondents (92%) have some form of Government income (OAS, CPP, GIS). Housing Costs Almost half the owner respondents own their homes outright (i.e., no mortgage payments). The remaining owners make mortgage payments ranging between $400 - $900 /mo. Based on the owner s incomes, this housing appears to meet the affordability standard (i.e., mortgage is below 30% of income). 56% of the renter respondents pay between $600 - $700 /mo. on rent. Generally the renter s incomes are sufficient to meet the affordability standard (i.e., rent is below 30% of income), although a small number of renters appear to be on the threshold. In general, while there is reference to the high cost of housing maintenance and upkeep, there are minimal affordability issues for both owners and renters. General Housing Comments The majority of respondents feel that more senior s housing is needed in Temagami. Some of the respondents indicate that the present housing is good, but it is insufficient for the ageing population. Temagami Senior Citizens Housing Survey, August /07 6

7 WHO THE SURVEY HEARD FROM Family Type of Temagami Senior Citizens Survey Participants 53% 47% Two (2) family types were reported in the survey, with respondents indicating they were either married or widowed. A small number have children living at home. Married Widowed 50% Age Groups of Temagami Senior Citizen Survey Participants 14% % % The survey sampled two target populations: senior citizens (65 yrs.+) and pre-retirement seniors (55-64 yrs.) Half the respondents are ages This age group represents 13% of Temagami s total population and 66% of its seniors population. The age group was also well represented, with onethird of the respondents belonging to this group. 40% 35% Income (gross) of Temagami Senior Citizen Survey Participants 31% 36% The survey was heavily represented on the low-income side, with 2/3 of the respondents having annual incomes below $30k. Survey Particpants 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 14% 3% 17% This low-income representation is consistent with the national income level of seniors, whereby the average senior s income in 2000 was $24.5K (Statistics Canada). 0% Under $20,000 $21,000 - $30,000 $31,000 - $50,000 $51,000 - $70,000 $71,000 - $100,000 Over $100,000 No answer Temagami Senior Citizens Housing Survey, August /07 7

8 PRESENT HOUSING ARRANGEMENTS Question #1, 2 Length of time 0-5 yrs: 4% 6-10 yrs: 7% yrs: 15% yrs: 7% yrs: 4% 26+ yrs: 63% Housing Tenure of Temagami Senior Citizens Survey Participants 69% *6% 25% Own a Home Rent a Home Own & Rent *Length of time 0-5 yrs: 11% 6-10 yrs: 44% yrs: 22% yrs: 11% yrs: 0% 26+ yrs: 0% Approximately three quarters of the survey participants are homeowners and the remainder are renters. Of those who own their homes, a small number move out and rent during the winter. 1 The tenure of the survey respondents is representative of that at the national level, whereby in 2001, 71% of Canada s seniors were owners while 29% were renters. Approximately 90% of the renters above are widows. Although most of them report incomes of under $20K, they indicate they are satisfied with their housing and will not need to move. As can be expected, the majority of owners have lived in their homes much longer than the renters (26 + yrs. vs yrs.). Unfortunately however, most of these longer-tenured homeowners are now ages 75+ and they indicate that they will need to move in the near future (see question # 8, page 10). Widows comprise approximately 22% of the above homeowners and unlike their counterparts in rental housing, they need affordable rental housing (or other) now or in the near future (see question #8, page 10). Question #3, 4 * No answer Did You Have Difficulty in Finding Your Housing? *3% No : 75% Yes : 22% Those who reported difficulty in finding their housing were Owners- Renters did not have difficulty. On a positive note, almost 75% of the respondents did not experience any difficulty in finding their housing renters did not have any difficulty. The main difficulty homeowners had in finding their housing was a lack of houses for sale. This is more indicative of Temagami s housing supply in the 70 s, as most of the seniors who encountered this difficulty have owned their homes for over 30 years. 1. These houses are cottages and in some cases are not winterized. As the rental arrangements for these Owners are seasonal /temporary, they have been placed in the owners category for analysis purposes. Temagami Senior Citizens Housing Survey, August /07 8

9 Question #5 Are You Satisfied with Your Present Housing? Yes : 69% No : 31% Of the respondents who are not satisfied with their present housing, 90% are Owners and 10% are Renters. Over two-thirds of the survey respondents are satisfied with their present housing. As noted from the chart, the majority of those not satisfied with their housing are homeowners approximately half these owners are widows and the other half are couples. The reasons these seniors are not satisfied with their housing are stated in the following table: Question #6, 7 Why are you not satisfied with your present housing? It is becoming too much work It is costly to maintain It is hard to get around /mobility issues It is too small (renters) What three (3) things would help improve your housing? House Repairs & Maintenance Financial assistance / lower costs Moving into a seniors complex A larger apartment Note: The above table attributes are listed in the order of importance, based on the number of responses. The difficulty and cost of maintaining their homes are the main reasons for respondents not being satisfied with their present housing. It should be noted that cost from this perspective relates more to home repairs and maintenance than to general affordability (i.e., mortgage payments). The seniors age-groups (65+) noted on page 7, were evenly represented in both groups of satisfied and non-satisfied homeowners, i.e., a particular age group did not stand out as being either satisfied or not satisfied with their present housing. The pre-retirement age group (55-64) however, indicated they are satisfied with their present housing (but not necessarily content on staying in their housing see next page). Income representation varied a little more between the two groups, with the non-satisfied homeowners generally having lower incomes: 50% of the owners that are not satisfied with their present housing, reported incomes of $20k or less, vs. 12% for the satisfied group. On the upper-income end, those who are not satisfied with their present housing were not represented above the $51k income level. The fact that half this group is comprised of widows who have lower, single incomes, helps to explain the difference in income. Only a relatively small number of renters are not satisfied with their present housing and this is due to space constraints (note: there are a relatively small number of owners who live in their homes during the summer and rent other housing during the winter. For the purpose of this survey and analysis, they have been classified as owners and thus are not counted in the renters category. However, it can be noted that their rental housing is seasonal and the owners report they are not satisfied with it). Temagami Senior Citizens Housing Survey, August /07 9

10 FUTURE HOUSING ARRANGEMENTS Survey Respondents Question #8 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Will You Need to Move from Your Present Housing, in the Near Future? 58% 18% Owners ' 24% 11% Yes No Undecided /Not sure 89% Renters Approximately 60% of the homeowners indicate they will need to move in the near future This group includes the owners who are not satisfied with their present housing from question #5 above, but also many of those who are satisfied (60%). This indicates that regardless of current housing-satisfaction levels, the senior homeowners feel the need to move in the near future. The majority of these owners who will need to move are between the ages of and are married, with incomes less than $30k. Approximately half of the pre-retirement age group (55-64) is also represented in this group as are all the widowed owners. It is also interesting to note that 61% of the owners who will need to move, have owned their homes for 30 years or more and approximately 50% own their homes outright. Given that the primary reason for moving is the inability to maintain their home (see table below), this suggests that health /fitness may become the primary determinant of moving. The owners who will not need to move are married and are generally younger. Income levels vary within this group which again, suggests that income may not play as important a role as health and fitness, in deciding whether or not to move. Those that are undecided or not sure about needing to move, indicate that it will depend upon their health. Regarding renters, a relatively small number indicate they will need to move. Question #9 Owners: Why will you need to move? Renters: Why will you need to move? Unable to maintain home Need a larger apartment Deteriorating health / illness Accessibility issues (too many stairs, etc.) Due to ageing Notes: 1) The above table attributes are listed in the order of importance, based on the number of responses. 2) The Renters column includes the responses of the Owner /Renters (see page 8). Temagami Senior Citizens Housing Survey, August /07 10

11 Approximately 40% of the responses reveal that the inability to perform housing upkeep and maintenance is the primary reason Temagami s survey respondents will need to move in the near future. The related determinants of deteriorating health (25%) and general ageing (23%) were also given as the main reasons for needing to move. Other reasons (12%) include for social aspects (specifically to be around other seniors) and mobility. It is interesting to note that while the cost of maintaining a home was a determinant of housing non-satisfaction for some owners (see question #6,7 on page 9) it does not surface directly as a determinant of moving. This builds upon a previous point which suggests that health /fitness may become the main reason for these respondents, in deciding whether or not to move out of their homes (i.e., housing costs /income play a diminishing role with age). It can be noted that the reasons provided by the Temagami homeowners above, are consistent with their national counterparts. According to Statistics Canada (2006), two of the main reasons seniors move are for health reasons and to move into smaller, more manageable homes (specifically apartments see question #13 next page). Q #10-12) Do You Know Where You will Move to (Owners)? * 17% No : 56% Yes : 28% Over half of the owners (above) who need to move, do not know where they will move to. Most of these homeowners are over the age of 75 and have gross household incomes of less than $30k. * No answer In terms of what they are planning to do, most will look for housing in a seniors complex while some will look for an apartment. A small number indicated they did not know what they were going to do. The owners who indicated that they know where they will be moving to, stated they are going to the Ronoco Retirement House or Temagami Housing. In terms of renters, question #8 (previous page) indicated that only a very small number of renters need to move. These respondents state that they are waiting for more suitable apartments within the same apartment buildings. Temagami Senior Citizens Housing Survey, August /07 11

12 Q #13-16) Are You Presently on a Housing Waiting List (Owners)? *6% No : 22% Yes : 72% What type of housing are you waiting for? Apartment (46%) RGI / Social Housing (38%) Seniors Housing (15%) The majority of owners who need to move in the near future are on waiting lists. Approximately half of these owners reported a waiting time of between 1-5 yrs, with the remainder reporting wait times of over 5 years respondents indicated they don t know how much longer they will have to wait. * No answer Only homeowners are on the waiting lists as mentioned previously, the small number of renters who need to move, hope to move within the same apartment complex. Trading in houses for apartments appears to be the preferred option for homeowners, which is in keeping with the primary reason for needing to move (i.e., eliminating /reducing maintenance -see question #9, page 10). After the age of 65, ownership levels generally start to fall and rental levels increase as senior citizens trade-in their houses for apartments (CMHC). This housing phenomenon can be observed through this survey and accommodating this transitional change in housing tenure will become an increasingly important housing consideration for Municipalities such as Temagami, as the population ages at an accelerated rate. Q #17) TOP THREE HOUSING NEEDS Owners: What are Your Top Three (3) Housing Needs? Renters: What are Your Top Three (3) Housing Needs? A 2-3 bdrm. apartment 23% Affordability Accessibility No /less maintenance Close to services Stay in Temagami Access to Doctors Other 5% 9% 9% 9% 9% 16% 20% More 2-bdrm. apartments/ more space Modified units 11% 22% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% Responses (Owners) 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% Responses (Renters) Note: 1) Renters are under-represented in the above chart as 2/3 of them did not answer the question. 2) The attributes in the above charts are based on the number of responses. Temagami Senior Citizens Housing Survey, August /07 12

13 The housing needs of the survey respondents differ, depending on whether they are owners or renters. The above response from owners, reinforces what the earlier questions have indicated: the top housing need for homeowners is to move into an apartment, presumably to eliminate the requirement of maintaining their homes. Regarding the size of the apartments, the majority of owners indicated they would like 2 or 3 bedrooms. While affordability has not yet surfaced in the survey with regards to housing satisfaction or the need to move, it presents itself here as the second top housing need for owners. It should be noted that affordability in this context refers to the respondent s future state, i.e. moving into an apartment, vs. the present state, i.e., living in their house. As can be noted on pages 7,14 & 15, these respondents have varying levels of income, housing costs and home equity, and they probably realize that transferring into rental accommodations will require rents that are affordable and sustainable, based on their financial circumstances. Accessibility was noted as the third top housing need, specifically no stairs and all rooms located on one floor. Only a few renters responded to the question about their top housing needs those that did indicated they would like to see more 2 bedroom apartments (which corresponds with their homeowner counterparts) and have more space (i.e., larger closets, bathroom, bedroom, etc.) The need to modify apartments with hallway railings, bathroom medical bars, etc. was also noted. HOUSING SUPPORT SERVICES Q #18-22) Do You Require any Community Housing Support Services? *11% No : 78% Yes : 11% What support services do you require? Seniors Van /Shuttle Access to a modern seniors complex Housekeeping The majority of the respondents who answered this question do not appear to require community housing support services. For those requiring support services, the senior s shuttle van for out-of-town appointments was the most common response with regards to which services are needed. * No answer Note: The attributes in the above chart are based on the number of responses. Temagami Senior Citizens Housing Survey, August /07 13

14 It is not known if the referral to a modern senior s complex is meant as a housing complex and/or general place of entertainment, recreation, etc. In cases where the community services were not being received, the respondents indicated that this was because the services were not available in the community or they did not know who to approach. Respondents reported that they rely on themselves and others for help, when the services they need are not available in the community. It can be noted that additional respondents answered this question, stating the need for RGI housing and modified units. As these needs were already accounted for in previous questions and analysis, they were not included here under community services. SOURCE OF INCOME Respondents /Responses Q #D, E 45% 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% 38% OAS 22% Please State Your 'Primary' and 'Other' Sources of Income 23% 7% Pension Plan 12% 2% RRSP 12% 4% Employment Income 8% 41% CPP 8% 13% RRIF Primary Source Other Sources 7% GIS 4% Investment Income The primary source of income for the respondents is Old Age Security (OAS) followed by pension plans (which are mostly private). Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSP) and employment income are the next main sources (12% respectively) while the Canadian Pension Plan (CPP) and Registered Retirement Income Funds (RRIF) each provide primary income for 8% of the respondents. In terms of other sources of income, the Canadian Pension Plan (CPP) stands out as the main source of additional income, followed by OAS. RRIFs account for 13% of the respondent s additional income followed by pension plans and the General Income Supplement (GIS), at 7% respectively. A small number of respondents also had additional income from employment & investments (4% each), and RRSPs (2%). The above primary income sources basically align with those of seniors at the national level, whereby the four (4) main sources of income are: Government transfers, private pensions, investment income and employment income (Williams /Statistics Canada, 1999). Notes: 1) primary source of income is based upon the number of respondents as only one (1) source of income could be given. Other sources is based on the number of responses as multiple sources of income could be given, by each respondent. 2) Although there was a 100% response rate to Question #D (primary source of income), only 72% of the responses were valid as some respondents incorrectly stated more than one primary source of income. Most of these same respondents subsequently left question #E (other sources of income) blank. These answers were not included in the above results. Temagami Senior Citizens Housing Survey, August /07 14

15 It is interesting to note that just under half the respondents to this question (46%) rely on Government transfers (OAS, CPP) as a primary source of income while the remainder (54%) rely on other sources (pension plans, RRSP s, employment income and RRIF s). As a secondary source of income however, almost all of the respondents (92%) have some form of Government income. Of the 46% who rely on Government transfers as a primary income source, half of these are renters and half are owners. Proportionately however, the renters are overrepresented, i.e., 100% of the renter respondents rely on the Government as a primary income source vs. 30% for owners. This helps to explain the relatively lower incomes of the renters in this survey, who mostly are widows with single incomes of $30k or less. Although the renters generally have lower incomes, this does not necessarily translate into housing problems or affordability issues. On the contrary, as shown previously in this report, the majority of the survey s renters appear satisfied with their present housing. The concern is more for the owners who indicate a need to move due to the inability to maintain their homes. As CMHC points out, for senior households, as for all Canadian households, finding and paying for affordable housing is a greater challenge than obtaining suitable or adequate housing. Senior households who own their home however, are more susceptible to falling into core housing need and living below the adequacy standard (housing in need of repair) than non-senior households. 2 This could become a growing community concern in Temagami, if these senior homeowners are unable to transition into apartments and their houses fall below the adequacy standard. Q #G HOUSING COSTS 60% 50% 48% Monthly Mortgage / Rent Payments 56% Owners Renters Almost half of the homeowners who answered this question, own their homes outright (i., no mortgage payments). Owners & Renters 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% $0 $400-$499 $ $ $800-$899 22% 15% 11% 7% 4% 26% No answer 11% As indicated earlier in this report however, regardless of this wealth, most of these homeowners are looking to switch into rental units. Although these homes are paid for, some of the respondents indicated that taxes and utilities are too high. 2. Acceptable housing standards are defined by the National Housing Agency (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation - CMHC) and they refer to housing that is in adequate condition, of suitable size, and is affordable. Adequate housing refers to housing that does not require any major repairs; suitable housing has enough bedrooms for the size and make-up of the household according to National Occupancy Standard requirements; affordable housing costs less than 30% of before-tax household income. Temagami Senior Citizens Housing Survey, August /07 15

16 For the owners who are making monthly mortgage payments that range between $400- $900 (above chart), income cross-tabulations reveal that these payments meet the affordability standard in most cases. The fact that affordability has not presented itself as a housing issue for owners (apart from being a top housing need upon moving into an apartment) supports this observation. In terms of the renters, over half of the question s respondents pay between $600 - $700 /mo. on rent. Applying the 30% affordability rule (see footnote 2 on the above page), incomes of approximately $24k $28k are required in order to meet the affordability standard. The incomes of the renters appear sufficient in meeting the affordability standard in most cases, although a small number appear to be on the threshold. Similar to the owners, the fact that affordability did not surface as a primary issue indicates that Temagami s rental market is adequate for these particular renters, at least from the perspective of the affordability standard. As a final note on income and housing costs, it can be noted that the debt, expenditure and consumption patterns of senior citizens generally differs from non-senior households, and their disposable income per dollar may be relatively higher. This is something to keep in mind when viewing the income chart on page 7, and it might help explain why affordability is not such an issue for this group of senior citizens. Q #25) OTHER COMMENTS REGARDING HOUSING FOR SENIOR CITIZENS We need more senior's housing Housing is good, but insufficient Ronoco House needs upgrading Other General Comments, on Housing for Senior Citizens in Temagami The waiting list is too long Other No answer 5% 5% 11% 11% 21% 47% The majority of seniors who answered this question feel that more senior s housing is needed in Temagami. Some of these respondents went on to say that the existing housing is good, but it is insufficient for Temagami s ageing population. 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% Responses Note: The attributes in the above chart are based on the number of responses. Other includes better access to services, more RGI housing, more 2-bdrm. apartments and a nursing home. A small number commented that the existing seniors housing (Ronoco house) is in need of upgrades (wider halls, elevator to upper floor, wheelchair ramps and senior-friendly bathroom /sink fixtures). Long housing waiting lists were also noted. Temagami Senior Citizens Housing Survey, August /07 16

17 RECOMMENDATIONS In view of the cautionary note on page 4, the following recommendations are made. This is based upon the data from the population subset that participated in the survey. The survey reinforces the anecdotal evidence and points towards the demonstrated need for additional, affordable seniors housing in Temagami. Based on the survey data, the addition of 10 units of seniors housing (i.e., doubling the present capacity of Ronoco House) should easily be absorbed. To accommodate the accelerating ageing population, it would be prudent to consider further units, for example, the doubling of this capacity to 20 units or more (Temagami s senior citizen population has increased approximately 20% since Currently, approximately 1 out of every 5 residents in Temagami, are 65 yrs. of age or older). In view of the above, the following are general steps that could be taken, which would complement existing housing strategies for Temagami s seniors: 1. Hold a community session with the Temagami seniors population, to present the survey findings back to them, while also confirming the data and acquiring any additional information that may be needed. 2. Based on the above, confirm the feasibility of additional seniors housing in Temagami, based on scenario s of 10, 15 and 20+ additional units. This would include looking at the various types of housing for seniors (retirement homes, apartments, etc.). 3. As a general guideline, ensure that affordable housing is a part of the formal, municipal planning structure. In this capacity, it will remain on the radar screen and the housing needs of Temagami s general population will be considered, as they evolve. Temagami Senior Citizens Housing Survey, August /07 17