• Donwood West opens new retirement option • - Canadian ...

Canada'S population is aging. The fact is
undeniable. The media have been bombarding
us with this message for several
years and, as a result, the greying of our
poeulation is a well-known phenomenon.
Every organization imaginable is doing
research and following the growth trends
closely. Some of the results are startling.
Consider, for example: In 1986 the
National Council of Welfare counted 2.7
million citizens. The Canada Mortgage
and Housing Corporation predicts that by
the year 2025 the over-65 age group will
have increased to over 20 per cent of the
population compared to the 10 per cent of
today. The rate of growth of elderly
Canadians is more than three times that
of the population as a whole.
The repercussions of increased numbers
of seniors are being felt in all sectors
Donwood West: one way
to live in retirement by Dana Mohr
of the economy, and most notably in
housing. The elderly obviously have different
housing needs than younger
adults. But even amongst the elderly a
diversity of needs exists. Some senior citizens,
incapable primarily for health reasons
of living independently, live in
personal care homes, while some live
with relatives or children. There exists
another group of seniors, who are still
healthy and active, who cherish their
independence, and who are in solid
financial positions. It is to this group that
Donwood West Inc., a sister company of
the Mennonite Brethren Geriatric Association
of Greater Winnipeg, has targetted
its latest housing project at 1460
Portage Avenue.
Donwobd West, a $5.3 million undertaking,
is an equity participation housing
project for seniors. This concept is quite
similar to the "lease for life" idea which is
gaining popularity in the U.S. and some
parts of Canada. Helmut Klassen, administrator
of the association, explains that
tenants, "simply lease the apartment for
the duration of their lifetime. Then it
becomes a part of their estate, just as a
house would. The equity moves along
with time." In the event of the tenant's
death, the apartment may be retained by
relatives or children, but if one of them
desires to take up residence in the apartment,
he or she must be over the age of
55. A second option is to sell the apartment
to another senior, or to lease it out.
As for the apartments themselves, they
range in size from 850 square feet to 1060
square feet, (not including balcony space);
half of the 60 suites are one-bedroom, the
mennonite mirror/april 1988/13