Pastor Ben Mills from Hope Community Church is hoping to arrange living quarters for seniors that have been forced out of their current accommodations.
These seniors live on a pension or ODSP and have been evicted because the place they were renting has been sold or the landlord is moving back in. Living on a fixed income, these seniors cannot afford to rent a place of their own. It’s an initiative Mills is spearheading with the help of a few churches and organizations in the area.
Mills is hopeful they can find people who have an extra bedroom or basement available that they’d be willing to share with a senior.
Mills explains.
The concept, according to Mills is that seniors would share the space and in return they would perform light chores, or mind the house of someone who travels frequently, maybe taking care of animals or just providing a sense of security that someone is looking out for the home.
According to Mills, they’ll be looking to facilitate a match between a likely host and a senior.
Mills says they’re putting together a video featuring a gentleman who has done this three times, opening his home to seniors, providing some shared living space and shared responsibilities around the home.
Mills says that finding accommodations, particularly affordable housing, is tremendously difficult and we need to get creative to take care of those who helped build our community.
Mills says he’s working with Shane Watson of St John’s Anglican and Reverend Kevin Moore from Port Hope United Church to work out the details, but he says that placements won’t be made without ongoing support in place.
Additionally, Mills says that based on the success of providing accommodations for refugees from Syria and Ukraine, he’s confident that the community can rally to support these seniors that have spent their lives contributing to Northumberland County.
Those interested in finding out more are invited to reach out to Pastor Mills by calling 905-396-0253.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
