Cultivating a Lifelong Community
In my vision for Coalhurst, we’re building a community where everyone can put down roots and flourish throughout their lives. This means creating a place where people don’t have to move away due to a lack of housing or support, ensuring our families and friends can stay close. My goal is to make Coalhurst a truly “lifelong community.”
Strategic Housing Solutions
Working with Council, we will focus on a strategic approach to housing that benefits everyone. This isn’t just about one type of home; it’s about building an ecosystem of housing that fits a resident’s needs at every stage of life. My plan includes:
- Diverse Housing Options: Working towards bringing in more housing options, including homes that allow for “downsizing” for empty nesters and seniors. When appropriate housing is available for our aging population, it creates a crucial “trickle-down effect,” freeing up larger family homes for younger residents and those who are just starting out.
- Advocating for Affordability: Together we will continue our strong advocacy for housing affordability. We’ll build on the momentum of resolutions being brought to the Alberta Municipalities convention this fall, hopefully creating a mandate so the Alberta Municipalities committees can advocate and champion solutions that make housing more accessible for all.
Support Services and Quality of Life
Building a lifelong community is about more than just housing; it’s about creating a supportive environment. We will examine and implement solutions that enhance the quality of life for our residents, particularly our seniors, ensuring they have the resources and support to age with dignity in their homes. Our approach includes:
- Wrap-Around Services: Explore and expand “wrap-around” services that provide comprehensive support for our aging population, helping them remain independent.
- Learning from Others: We will actively research how other successful communities are approaching “nurturing lifelong residency” and seek to implement the best ideas that fit Coalhurst.
- Improving Community Amenities: We’ll examine and address the “small things” that significantly impact daily life, such as paving parking lots, and looking at both universal and inclusive design to ensure our facilities and amenities are age-appropriate and accessible for all.