Marliese Gause, chief executive officer of The Friends, explained to District of Muskoka council how a 30-year-old woman is forced to live in a long-term care facility after having a stroke.
During the April 18 Community and Planning Services Committee, she urged council to keep accessible supportive housing in mind. Gause explained the units are made for seniors, someone living with a disability, or another long-term care need, but allow the person living in it to be independent, however, they have 24/7 support.
“Diverse housing options ensure that inappropriate referrals and admissions to long-term care facilities are reduced, improve the quality of life for seniors and individuals with physical disabilities,” she explained.
Gause used the story of the 30-year-old woman to explain how the type of housing isn’t just used by seniors. She added The Friends also supports a 25-year-old man whose spinal injury has left him with two options: live in long-term care or leave the area.
She pointed out supportive housing is a more cost-effective option., adding Aa bed could cost close to $900 a day in a hospital or close to $130 in a long-term care facility while the price tag is around $85 a day for supportive housing or around $40 for care-at-home.
Gause said there are eight accessible supportive housing units in Muskoka at Oakwood Heights in Bracebridge compared to 30 in the Parry Sound District. She said someone needing that kind of space locally would need to go to Barrie, Parry Sound, or Sudbury.
“If you don’t have another place to go or if you can’t be provided those services in your home, do you want as a 30-year-old to be living in long-term care,” asked Gause.
The non-profit agency is funded through Ontario Health. Gause said they support over 900 people between Muskoka and Parry Sound with many programs including transitional care and homemaking.
She said the waitlist is around 20 for Parry Sound while the list is longer in Muskoka. Gause explained the district holds the waitlist on behalf of The Friends so she’s not sure of the exact number.
“I know that many municipalities are working on plans to try and increase our housing stock,” she said. “I just want all of you to think about the fact that it’s not just homeless individuals it’s also people who need other types of housing.”
Mayor of Huntsville Nancy Alcock, who chaired the committee meeting, said she appreciated being able to have this conversation. While there was no immediate action taken by council, she added “it piqued a lot of interest.”