Case Study: A Community-Based Approach to Developing Optimal Housing for Low-Income Older Adults

Since 2014, the Gerontology Research Centre at Simon Fraser University, in partnership with the Richmond Kiwanis Senior Citizens Housing Society and the city of Richmond, has overseen the transition of low-income senior tenants from old, dilapidated accommodations into an affordable housing redevelopment project (Kiwanis Towers) in Richmond, British Columbia. The challenge was ensuring the seniors experienced their move with reduced stress and to find solutions for enhanced social participation to prevent loneliness and social isolation. To do this, a transdisciplinary (across diverse disciplines and sectors) partnership was created among gerontologists, health scientists, a geographer, an ecologist, and a psychologist along with the building’s management, and local community organizations (involving the older adult tenants themselves). A series of community consultations using innovative community-based research methods identified the need for housing interventions that build a sense of place (Fang et al., 2018) and that keep older adults mentally and physically active while providing opportunities to build social capital as well as facilitating an enhanced role for older adults in the design process (Sixsmith et al., 2017).