A registered charity is looking to raise the roof on housing affordability for seniors in Bradford.
Residents and representatives of LOFT Community Services were joined April 11 by Mayor James Leduc and the project team to announce the pending demolition of the old St. Mary’s Hall at 31 Frederick St. to make way for the new Bradford House.
That marked the most recent step forward for LOFT, which is planning to move Bradford House from its current location, where it has operated since 2012 in a building more than 100 years old at 136 Barrie St., to the new site about 220 metres away, which was donated by the town in 2021.
“We’re so excited about the community that can be built at such a site. Right now, this is such a special place; the community and care and love in this building is incredible and it will just be heightened and improved with a space that matches,” LOFT chief executive officer Heather McDonald said.
She also emphasized the efforts of council, LOFT staff, volunteers and the project team for helping to bring the new facility closer to reality.
“It’s all hands on deck,” McDonald said. “We’re a non-profit that serves people. We don’t build buildings, but now we do and we’ve needed this brainpower, support, knowledge and expertise.”
That facility is expected to more than double the 46-person capacity of the current location, and provide “deeply affordable” housing to 99 seniors at risk of being homeless, each in their own separate unit in a six-storey building, featuring resident lounges of about 400 square feet on each floor, a wellness room, outdoor gardens and terraces across different levels.
McDonald explained that some seniors can become stuck in hospital due to specific care needs combined with a lack of supportive housing.
“This creates a home that’s ... designed for their physical and mental health well-being needs,” she said. “All the services they need will be in the building and we’ll work with community partners to bring additional services as needed.”
LOFT plans to offer those units at prices based on 80 per cent of average market value and pro-rated to 30 per cent of residents’ income, meaning that those living on fixed incomes from Canada Pension Plan (CPP), old-age security or even Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) will be able to afford a unit in Bradford House.
While McDonald said LOFT is “very grateful” for the donated property, she estimates the construction cost for the new building to be about $67 million, which is why the charity is looking for contributions from community members as well as waiting to hear about funding applications to both the provincial and federal governments.
Leduc said the town was proud to have donated the land and acknowledged the efforts of the previous council under then-mayor Rob Keffer, as well as the ongoing efforts of chief administrative officer Geoff McKnight.
“As mayor, I’m acutely aware of the pressing need for expanded support services for our aging population,” he said. “The demand for these services has never been greater and as our community grows, the demand will continue to increase well into the future. Bradford’s population, specifically for those aged 55 and older, is expected to climb by 41 per cent over the next 20 years.”
McDonald said there’s a wait list with 32 people actively waiting to move into the new Bradford House and 23 more who haven’t been assessed yet.
All of the units are designed to be self-contained with their own kitchenette, washroom and shower to make it easier for residents to hosts family and guests, says McDonald, who added 30 per cent of the units will be fully-accessible, meaning larger doorways, hallways, lower counters and kitchenettes as well as barrier-free washrooms.
The common washrooms on each floor are also designed to be accessible, according to Steve Darking, LOFT’s facilities director, who added the new design will include a separate entrance with parking and electrical connections for residents using mobility scooters.
“That’s always such a big issue when you have accessibility. People don’t want to just be in a wheelchair, they want to actually use a scooter and go out in the community,” he said.
A new lobby and dining area have also been designed in such a way that the dining room can be expanded to seat all 99 residents plus guests at once.
That lobby will also provide access to two gardens on either side, both of which will be fenced in and secure.
Resident and Bradford House ambassador Denise Burrows expressed her appreciation for LOFT’s efforts and said residents are looking forward to the new facility.
“Bradford House is my home,” she said from a motorized wheelchair, adding the facility meets all her mental and physical needs, while allowing her to maintain independence. “Without Bradford House, I don’t where I would be.”
In addition to 31 Frederick, the new build includes 123 Moore St., which combined were previously home to the Helping Hand Food Bank, CrossTrainers Canada and WOW Living’s Out of the Cold Cafe — all of which had been expected to transition to the town’s new social services and community hub at 177 Church St. in October 2023, but unexpected delays in construction pushed that to late December.
While council voted on Sept. 5 to allow the demolition of the buildings on both properties, Thursday’s event was more symbolic, as the town couldn’t issue the demolition permit until after all the utilities were disconnected, the last of which had only just been done by Enbridge Gas that same morning.
LOFT expects the demolition to be completed in time to officially break ground in June on construction of the new Bradford House, which is slated to open its doors in early 2026.
For more information or ways to support LOFT, visit loftcs.org.
