Hidden Housing Solutions launches on North Shore to pair seniors sharing homes

The Hollyburn Society has launched Hidden Housing Solutions, a program pairing North Shore seniors with empty bedrooms with renters 55 and older seeking affordable housing below market rates.

Of the North Shore's 29,000 single-detached homes, 13,000 are occupied by just one or two people, leaving thousands of empty bedrooms in a region facing an acute housing crisis. Hidden Housing Solutions acts as a facilitator, vetting potential home providers and seekers, understanding their preferences, and making introductions. The program provides a legal document offering more flexibility than a traditional lease and follows up after move-in to ensure things are going smoothly.

"The program is about giving older adults another choice, helping them to remain in their home and the community that they love, whilst also reducing social isolation and creating affordable housing options," said Lindsey Shepherd, Hidden Housing Solutions coordinator. "I hope that it enables people not to just age in place, but to age well."

Rent will be negotiated between home providers and seekers, with the program aiming to keep monthly rates at no more than a third of someone's income. There is no cost to join.

Experts emphasize the program addresses two critical issues: the affordable housing shortage and the public health crisis of senior isolation. "We know how damaging social isolation can be," said Annwen Loverin, executive director of the Silver Harbour Seniors' Activity Centre. "It ranks up there with other damaging health concerns like smoking in terms of its really devastating impact on people's physical, mental and emotional health."

The peer-to-peer model means seniors can look out for one another rather than depend on formal care, Shepherd said. While unrelated seniors living together isn't common in Canadian society, experts believe the time for change has arrived.