Ottawa Citizen | Letter to the Editor | October 1, 2024
Oct. 1 is recognized as the International Day of Older Persons, a good time to reflect on the place seniors occupy in our society. As the percentage of older adults in Ottawa increases, reaching 25 per cent by 2035, I ask: how age-friendly is our city?
Data reports that 17 per cent of older adults are homeless, 4000+ are on a waiting list for social housing and many who want to downsize have few choices to move to.
City planners must support the building of more innovative, affordable and accessible housing options that encourage community engagement, and are near amenities with good access to home care and community support services. Clearly, it will require all levels of government working together.
Creating more age-friendly housing for older adults will affirm and respect the equal place that older adults have in our society. It will also be good for people of all ages, backgrounds and vulnerabilities.
An age-friendly city is the kind of city I want to live in.
Valerie Wright, Ottawa
Co-chair, Age-Friendly Housing Committee
