‘Warm, toasty’ housing development for seniors opens in North Sydney
A community group in Cape Breton has successfully transformed a former elementary school in North Sydney into a housing project aimed at helping struggling seniors. The initiative was born out of a need identified by a local food bank, which had been receiving reports from retirees struggling to make ends meet due to high rent and food costs.
The idea for the project was conceived about six years ago following the closure of Seton Elementary School. The organization behind the project took ownership of the building and converted it into a multi-use hub, which now houses 19 one- and two-bedroom units for seniors. Rental fees, which include heat and lights, range from $625 to $800 per month – significantly below market rates in the community.
Among the new tenants are Jimmy MacKinnon and his wife Debbie, who had been finding it increasingly difficult to maintain their rural home in Frenchvale, Nova Scotia. The couple, who had lived in their home for 45 years, found it challenging to keep up with the upkeep, especially as they got older. Moving into the new complex a couple of months ago, they have already made the space feel like home by decorating the outside of their apartment with wooden signs and colourful flowers.
The building also features a community kitchen, food pantry, and hair salon, as well as garden boxes for growing seasonal vegetables. Cape Breton Regional Municipality Mayor Cecil Clarke praised the project as a fully integrated facility that the community can celebrate and engage with.
Funding for the project came from the federal government’s Affordable Housing Fund and Nova Scotia’s Department of Growth and Development, totaling $3.3 million. Liberal MP Mike Kelloway highlighted the government’s commitment to addressing housing affordability, with support from organizations like the North Sydney Food Bank Society.
Lawrence Shebib, co-chair of the food bank society, noted that there were four times more applicants in need of housing than there were available units, highlighting the significant demand for affordable housing in the community.
Since moving into the complex, Jimmy MacKinnon has found a sense of community and ease that he recommends to others facing similar challenges in maintaining their homes. He emphasized the stress-free and warm environment of the new living space, noting the impressive transformation of the former classroom into a comfortable living space.
Overall, the Cape Breton housing project serves as a shining example of community collaboration and innovation in addressing the needs of vulnerable seniors. The success of the initiative underscores the importance of supporting affordable housing initiatives to ensure that all members of the community have access to safe and comfortable living spaces.
