Dufferin County invites community to share thoughts on older adult services and housing in Dufferin
Dufferin County is excited to launch two engagement initiatives to support its mission to foster a thriving, equitable and resilient community: the Older Adult Services Review (OASR) and Master Housing Strategy (MHS).
Dufferin County continues to experience strong population and economic growth and development. The OASR will help the County ensure the older adult population has access to adequate support and services and the MHS will support the County in responding to the growing and diversifying needs for housing locally. Both projects will support the County in achieving its vision under its 2023 to 2026 Strategic Plan of being a community that grows together.
About the Older Adult Services Review and Master Housing Strategy projects
Dufferin County has engaged Tim Welch Consulting (TWC) to lead the development of the OASR and MHS initiatives. The TWC consulting team will be reaching out to residents, key community organizations, service providers and partners over the coming weeks to lead the engagement process.
The OASR will support the County in assessing the current state of local older adult services, identify gaps and propose tailored recommendations to meet the current and future needs of older adults across Dufferin County. Topics covered in the OASR include community support services, housing needs and gaps and supports to age in place.
The MHS will assist the County in developing a long-term strategic plan that leverages existing owned land to identify and redevelop existing properties and explore the potential of surplus and underutilized County-owned lands to expand affordable local housing options. Topics covered in the survey include current housing needs and gaps, future housing demands, housing priorities for the community and potential initiatives and programs.
Learn more about the projects and get involved in shaping the community at www.joinindufferin.com.
Have your say!
The County is launching two surveys today, June 10 for residents and stakeholders to share their thoughts on older adult services and housing in Dufferin. The OASR survey can be found here and the MHS survey here.
The surveys will remain open until Sunday, July 7. Surveys may also be completed by phone by contacting Jodi Ball, Project Lead at jodi@jconsultinggroup.ca or 905-399-5634.
The County will also host an Older Adult Focus Group to hear directly from residents 55 years of age and older on Wednesday, June 19 from 9:30 to 11:30 am at the Mel Lloyd Centre in Shelburne. Caregivers of older adults are welcome! This session will be aimed at learning more about the needs of older adults and opportunities to improve and expand the scope of services offered to older adults across Dufferin County. Spaces are limited and registration is required on Eventbrite here.
The County will also host targeted focus sessions with community groups (i.e., housing providers, developers, local service providers) across Dufferin County for the Master Housing Strategy. Representatives of local non-profit housing corporations and private developers and landlords who are interested in participating are asked to reach out to Jodi Ball, Project Engagement Lead, at jodi@jconsultinggroup.ca or 905-399-5634.
Quotes
“Dufferin County Council knows that housing and the health and well-being of older adults are top of mind as we continue to experience strong economic and population growth locally. That’s why we’re working to build a community that grows together. Residents, caregivers of older adults, community groups and other local partners are invited to get involved and have their say as we undertake the Older Adult Services Review and Master Housing Strategy. Together, we can continue to build a thriving, equitable and resilient community for all.”
– Darren White, Warden, Dufferin County
“As part of our 2023 to 2026 Strategic Plan, Dufferin County staff have committed to providing meaningful, accessible and inclusive community engagement opportunities for all in our community to share their thoughts as we work to achieve our goals. The OASR and MHS will be instrumental in helping us meet the current and future needs of all in Dufferin. We look forward to hearing from our residents and other stakeholders during this important engagement process.”
– Sonya Pritchard, Chief Administrative Officer, Dufferin County
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Megan Ball, Manager of Communications
mball@dufferincounty.ca
