Affordable and Sustainable Housing Workshop

Vibrant communities recognize the need for sustainable housing which is accessible and affordable by both younger and older generations.  New models for community housing will be explored, citing inspiring examples within the province and elsewhere.  The workshop will explore the potential for housing projects within the St. Margaret’s Bay area.

John McKee of the Seniors Association Housing Committee commented, “We live in a prosperous, beautiful area of the province, yet there is almost no affordable  accommodation for seniors or young people – we need to do something.”

Young people, single parents, empty nesters, and seniors living on modest or fixed incomes with family ties to the community who might wish to stay or settle in the area cannot find affordable accommodation and are obliged to live with extended family or move elsewhere in the province.

To address the need for accessible and affordable housing in our community, Transition Bay and the Seniors Association of St. Margaret’s Bay are jointly sponsoring a community workshop to explore ways that we can encourage the development of attractive, economical, and sustainable housing that the whole community can be proud of.

The keynote speaker for the event will be Jim Mustard, a Councillor from the Municipality of Inverness County in Cape Breton who has been instrumental in implementing new and innovative approaches to the development and financing of affordable housing in Cape Breton with an emphasis on community involvement.

Following Jim’s presentation, and presentations by others with knowledge of community housing development during the morning, the group will be asked to put their heads together in the afternoon to come up with potential solutions that are practical and enhance our community.

We welcome participation from people who have the motivation, skills, or resources necessary to help make this goal a reality, especially those with background in the development, construction, or financing of both market and affordable housing. If you have been thinking that you would like to help in shaping St. Margaret’s Bay’s future and make a real difference in how we grow and develop as a caring and inclusive community, please plan to attend.

We expecially wish to invite youth, young families, and single parents to register and attend. Youth ideas, perspective, and energy are essential. Please come.  Please tell your friends.  Please share with us in this unique opportunity to stay or move to St. Margaret’s Bay!

Tea, coffee and a light lunch will be served.

Attendance for this workshop is by advanced registration only. To register for this event, contact: Housing@BaySeniors.ca or call 902-820-3334 (leave a message).

The event is free of charge but we suggest a $20 donation, if you can, to help offset costs and to seed future work. (Donation not required.)

For more information, contact info@transitionbay.ca.