Co-Housing
Throughout 2022 Tay Valley worked with the Rural Development Network (RDN) under an Inclusive Communities Grant from the Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility to identify CoHousing options for the Township residents. Zoning By-Law changes will be explored to allow individuals to live in cohousing arrangements in 2023. These may include a small cluster of stand-alone buildings or one larger building and a shared common building with a shared kitchen and common space.
| What is Cohousing? |
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Co-housing is a form of collective housing that is being used by a wide variety of groups, including seniors and multigenerational families. Co-housing is usually described as an intentional community of private homes clustered around shared space. It has evolved to include other options such as sharing space within a large home or sharing kitchen and common living space in one building surrounded by multiple smaller buildings containing a bedroom and private living space. 1) Physical designs that encourages a strong sense of community. |
| Why is Cohousing Important? |
| The communities within Tay Valley Township have a higher percentage of seniors than most others in Ontario, with the majority of residents over age 55 according to Statistics Canada’s 2021 census. This trend is likely to continue in the future. The Township is also a place where many residents have strong ties to their communities and intend to age-in-place, rather than move out as they get older. This presents an increased need to ensure that the voices of seniors are heard and their concerns are addressed. Ensuring that housing is affordable for seniors and land use requirements support their choices are drivers to allow Cohousing in Tay Valley Township. |
| Results |
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Based on the three priorities in Tay Valley's Age-Friendly Plan, the Cohousing identified: 1. Innovative co-housing options, |
| Why This Project is Taking Place? |
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The communities within Tay Valley Township have a higher percentage of seniors than most others in Ontario, with the majority of residents over age 55 according to Statistics Canada’s 2021 census. This trend is likely to continue in the future. The Township is also a place where many residents have strong ties to their communities and intend to age-in-place, rather than move out as they get older. This presents an increased need to ensure that the voices of seniors are heard and their concerns are addressed. Ensuring that housing is affordable for seniors and land use requirements support their choices are key points drivers to allow Cohousing in Tay Valley Township. |
| Next Steps |
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The Township will undertake a review of the Zoning By-Law in 2023 to propose changes to allow cohousing. Public consultation will be encouraged. Initial Public Consultation
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