St. Albert seniors have fewer choices when it comes to rental housing than their peers in Edmonton or even the rest of Alberta.
There are no vacancies for seniors looking to live in the non-profit apartments at Chateau Mission Court and North Ridge Lodge, managed by the Sturgeon Foundation for Seniors Supportive Housing. Chateau Mission Court has 70 people on its waiting list and North Ridge has 40.
“We never have vacancies and always have a waiting list,” said Sharon Mills, manager at Chateau Mission Court.
Comparisons between the for-profit seniors’ housing developments is difficult because they all vary depending on how many meals and recreational facilities are offered and what other services are available.
Among the four developments — Ironwood Estates, Rosedale Developments, River Ridge and Citadel Mews — there are only 27 units or seven percent of the total of 376 units available for rent. Of those, 20 are available at Ironwood Estates, seven are vacant at River Ridge. The other two developments have waiting lists.
In contrast, according to a survey released last week by the Central Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) the average vacancy rate in Alberta for a “standard retirement space” is 12.8 per cent. In Edmonton the vacancy rate for this type of housing is 10.4 per cent.
Rental fees have significant effect on the number of vacancies.
“You have two markets. The non-profit seniors accommodations have lower vacancies than the for-profit homes,” agreed CMHC housing analyst Richard Goatcher. “Obviously there will be more demand for the non-profit housing first. But some of these developments will be targeted to seniors who are looking for specific things such as a community of just seniors, or such as recreational facilities.”
Those waiting for an apartment in Chateau Mission Court or North Ridge Lodge are ranked according to a number of different criteria, including their income level. Anyone on the present list could be bumped if someone comes along with a lower income and greater need for suitable housing.
“It’s not first come, first served,” Mills said. She explained the average age of residents in Chateau Mission Court is 85.
Rents for the Sturgeon Foundation managed, independent-living units range between $750 and $962. Rent for both facilities in the assisted-living lodge accommodations is $1,520. Availability is based on income.
The average rent of for-profit seniors housing in Edmonton is gauged by CMHC at $2,318.
Rents at Ironwood Estates are listed at a low of $1,600 for some studio suites to $3,425 for two-bedroom accommodations. Rosedale Developments’ rents are between $2,095 and $2,695 depending upon the number of bedrooms. Both River Ridge Seniors and Citadel Mews rents are considerably higher because they offer enhanced assisted living services such as health care assistance, three meals per day and extensive housekeeping assistance.
Goatcher speculated that demographics will affect the availability of future housing needs in both St. Albert and Edmonton.
“There are larger numbers of those in their 80s now, who were born before the Depression. There are fewer numbers of those born in the Depression and Second World War. The lag may come in the 15 years or more it takes until the baby boomers are old enough for seniors housing. The industry has to be aware of that,” Goatcher said.
