Seniors housing to be developed in Kenora

The Kenora District Services Board (KDSB) and the City of Kenora are pleased to announce that an agreement has been reached for the City lands known as the “Howard Property” to be utilized to develop new housing. The KDSB has proposed to use the lands to build a 54-unit seniors housing complex. The housing project directly responds to the community’s housing crisis and the lack of affordable housing options for seniors.

The building will be a mixed market model, ensuring that units are available and accessible to seniors of all income levels in the community. The KDSB has been approved for seed funding through the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s National Housing Strategy. Funds received will go towards initial planning and development. Nelson Architecture Inc. will lead the design of the new housing complex.

“The housing development cannot come soon enough for seniors who are waiting for accessible and affordable housing options. The building design and services will be conducive to supporting an environment that allows seniors to be supported as they age-in-place and in their community,” says Henry Wall, Chief Administrative Officer of the KDSB.

“This Council is committed to housing development in our community and this project is a direct demonstration of that commitment. Through our strong partnership with the Kenora District Services Board and the vision shared by both Council and the KDSB, this priority project will have meaningful impacts to the housing availability in our community. It demonstrates that working together, we can continue to grow our community,” states Mayor Daniel Reynard.

“This development gives great hope for those seniors who wish to age-in-place in their home community and who have struggled to find affordable and accessible housing. We are looking forward to the opportunity to provide input so that the 54-unit complex is appropriate for the needs of seniors in our community,” says Carolyn Hudson, President of the Kenora Seniors Coalition.

In the coming months, the lands will be transferred to KDSB for development. The KDSB will work with community partners that offer supportive senior services, senior citizen interest groups, and seniors to form a working group to discuss the project’s vision and the building’s design and services. Planning and design activities will be undertaken over the next year, followed by construction.