Dryden, Ont., seniors waiting years for housing even though assisted living building has vacancies

Dody Ridgway, 88, is among Dryden, Ont., residents who've long wanted to know when vacant housing units in a seniors' building will be filled, as some have been on the Patricia Gardens wait list for years.

Now, after a rally July 21 and public outcry, they're being told that some units are empty because the building — which offers assisted living rental units at market value — is in the process of adding partially subsidized units.

"I was on the list all these years, and the last five years for sure, I've needed it badly and there was nothing there for me," said Ridgway. "Even though there were all these empty apartments, there was nothing there for me."

Ridgway said she's been on the Patricia Gardens wait list for 22 years. She first submitted an application for a market value unit in 2001 after her husband died.

Every year, she has been reassessed by a caseworker, but was told she didn't meet the criteria. Nevertheless, she was kept on the list and at one point was told she had secured a permanent spot until she could qualify for a unit.

In the meantime, in 2014, she moved into an apartment. But for the last five years, as she's waited to get into Patricia Gardens, she's faced more health complications, including suffering a heart attack in June. Now, it's hard for her to get around.

There are calls for co-ordinated action across all levels of government to address Canada's housing crisis, as affordability deteriorates and the country risks falling further behind on home construction. According to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), the country isn't on track to build the 3.5 million additional homes — on top of the current pace of building — that the agency says are needed to restore affordability by 2030.

On top of that, the costs for rental units have skyrocketed, making affordable, assisted living for people like Ridgway even more important.

Patricia Gardens, which is at 35 Van Horne Ave. across the street from the Dryden Public Library, is owned and operated by Dryden District Senior Services Incorporated. People applying to live there are assessed by Home and Community Care Support Services North West, to determine if they can manage in an independent living environment or if they need to be moved to long-term care. 

Resident services include getting visits from health-care and other professionals. There are also on-site clinics supported by the Dryden Area Family Health Team, Kenora District Services Board Community Paramedicine Program and Hearing Life.

The July 21 rally outside Patricia Gardens was organized by registered nurse Susan Paquette and attracted about 20 people. 

The following week, Dryden District Senior Services Inc., a non-profit organization, responded to the public outcry by issuing a media release on Thursday. 

The release said work is underway to "improve access to supportive housing through community partnerships with Home and Community Care and other community partners." The building will soon be adding what are called rent supplement units, which are partially subsidized by the Kenora District Services Board (KDSB).

"Historically the facility was a market rent building, however, with the changing community needs, there is an increasing number of seniors who need financial support in order to afford a home," said the release.