Our Town, Our Home Donations
FORT ERIE LIONS NEAR FINAL STAGES TO BUILD NEW AFFORDABLE SENIORS APARTMENT
The Fort Erie Lions, a leading local community service organization along with the Lions Douglas Heights Seniors Residence Inc. are in the final stages of preparation to begin building a $28 million new affordable independent living Seniors Residence in Fort Erie and are looking to the community to contribute to its $1,500,000 fundraising campaign to enable the charity to get shovels in the ground as soon as possible.
In response to the growing housing crisis, the Lions Douglas Heights Seniors Residence Board, along with the Fort Erie Lions Club, have moved into action to create a new 62-unit, sustainable affordable independent living apartment for seniors in Fort Erie.
“There is absolutely no question that need for affordable housing in our community is immediate and vast,” says volunteer Linda Scott, Chairperson of the Lions Douglas Heights Residence Board noting that the Town of Fort Erie’s 2019 Affordable Housing Action Plan, identifies seniors as a priority, at-risk population in core housing need. “It is estimated that 45% of Fort Erie’s population is aged 55+, and this number will grow to 50% by 2041. With nearly 14,000 households in Fort Erie over 3,000 are aged 65+ and considered low income,” she adds. “Niagara Region’s Affordable Housing Wait-list, shows that the largest housing need in Fort Erie is for seniors housing. This situation is totally unacceptable and that’s why our service organization is taking up the challenge to do something transformative to improve the housing opportunities for seniors in our town.”
Mail your donation to:
Our Town Our Home at Lions Douglas Heights Seniors Residence Inc.
255 High Street,
Fort Erie ON L2A 3R4
Cheque payable to: Lions Douglas Heights Seniors Residence
How to make an e-transfer donation:
E-transfer your donation to [email protected]
An e-transfer donation is fast and easy to do, here’s how:
- Login to your bank account
- Select the Send Money by Interac e-Transfer option
- Add Lions Douglas Heights Seniors Residence as a recipient
- Use [email protected] as the contact email.
- Please provide your full name, phone number and mailing address in the message section of your bank’s transfer form to ensure we have all the information necessary to issue you a tax receipt.
- You should then get a confirmation email from your bank that we received the funds.
Thank you for your generous support!
Tax Receipts provided for donations of $20 or more.
Charitable Registration #128925492RR0001
The proposed 9-storey apartment building will be located on the vacant portion of the property adjacent to the current residence at 255 High Street and will have a Service Contract with Niagara Region to be able to provide subsidized and below market apartments to seniors of low or modest means. All new tenants will be taken from the Niagara Region’s Centralized Wait List, which has over 500 names, equivalent to 8-10 years wait time.
The idea for the project was sparked in 2017 with the first planning steps taken. Over the years the project has received tremendous support from the Town of Fort Erie and the Niagara Region with both levels of government endorsing the project in the form of waived development fees. Site Plan Approval has been obtained.
Through the generous support of the Branscombe Family Foundation and the Canadian Municipalities Green Municipal Fund, the project has progressed to the design phase.
“The effort that goes into this type of project is significant and our Lions Club volunteers have gone above and beyond to get this project to this final phase,” says Linda. “Our volunteers have secured over six million dollars in equity and grants and are in the process of securing $19 million in funding for this important project. However, to secure the funding we need to raise $1,500,000 in community contribution before we can move to put shovels in the ground.
The Fort Erie Lions Club is reaching out to our local community – to donors, friends, philanthropists and local businesses – asking for donations for the final $1.5 million. With $1.5 million raised the Lions can bring desperately needed affordable housing to Fort Erie seniors. We welcome gifts of all denominations and we will graciously provide tax receipts.”
“We know quality affordable housing promotes mental and physical health and an improved quality of life and independence for vulnerable, low-income seniors. Aging in place is a more affordable option for seniors, and has better health outcomes when seniors can remain within their community, close to family, friends and activities. That’s why this new residence is so important,”
The next major milestone will be applying for the federal funding to build the residence. Before the application for federal funding can be submitted, the project needs additional financial support.”
“We are currently reaching out to some local companies for financial support, and will be promoting the need within our community to help get us over this last hurdle. We are so close to seeing shovels in the ground and the work beginning, it’s very exciting.” says Linda.
For information please:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 905-871-8151