Edmonton seniors residence invites University of Alberta students to live among the elderly

Finding a bachelor apartment for a good price near the University of Alberta can be a struggle for students, but for those who prefer studying to partying, there’s an affordable — if unconventional — option: signing a one-year lease in a seniors’ residence.

Strathcona Place, subsidized seniors’ housing owned by the province, rents up to 25 bachelor suites to university students every year. The monthly rent of $700 includes all utilities and basic cable. Located in the Queen Alexandra neighbourhood near 77 Avenue and 108 Street, the building is walking distance from campus and Whyte Avenue.

Recouping lost revenue

The building opened its doors to students in 2013, after GEF Seniors Housing (the not-for-profit agency that runs Strathcona Place) realized there were about 80 vacant bachelor suites. The 325-square-foot units are small and less attractive to seniors than the larger one-bedroom apartments.

Manak Dhillon, Strathcona Place’s building manager, pitched the student housing idea to his CEO as a temporary way to recoup lost revenue. After consulting residents, the agency offered 19 units to students, who moved in that fall.

In its 2013 annual report, GEF estimated the new venture would generate annual revenues of more than $100,000.

Dhillon said he caps the number of student apartments at 25 so vacancies remain for the seniors the building is intended to serve. The organization plans to keep the student housing arrangement going until Strathcona Place receives a major renovation.

Seniors speak up

Some residents were apprehensive about having student housing in the building, voicing concerns about parties and alcohol at a consultation meeting before the program began, but most have been “pleasantly surprised” by their new neighbours, Dhillon said.

Inter-generational friendships have formed organically, with students screening movies, gardening and teaching piano to seniors.

Raymond Lapointe, a 79-year-old retired lithographer who has lived in the building for nearly nine years, said he supported the arrangement from the start.

“When you get older, your own family, many times, don’t come around,” he said. “And it’s nice to see young people. I think it builds you up a little bit.”

Dennis Kilfoy, 37, called the seniors’ residence home for the past four years while he was working on his PhD in Russian literature. A theatre buff, he was drawn to the location (with numerous venues nearby in Old Strathcona) and shocked by the reasonable rent.

“It’s quieter than any other building I’ve ever been in,” he added.

He took advantage of the building’s small library and rooftop balcony and enjoyed chatting with seniors almost every time he entered or exited the building.

Kilfoy said he occasionally invited people over for drinks or a meal, but his unit was too small to host a larger gathering.

“I don’t want to make it sound dull or dreary, but this is not the place for somebody who wants to host wild parties,” he said.

“I think students get very tired of the partying very quickly. You need a place you can go home and go to bed. Some place to call your own.”

Other examples of inter-generational housing

Alberta Rose Lodge, a seniors’ residence within walking distance of Lethbridge College, also offers student accommodations. Student residents there have breakfast and dinner included in their rent, as well as lunch for an additional fee.

Inspired by a similar program in Ohio, a retirement home in London, Ont., is now offering a small group of Western University music students free accommodation and meals in exchange for spending 12 hours a week with seniors.

Dhillon said he is planning to develop a program at Strathcona Place that rewards student volunteering with rent discounts.

“I think more people need to try this,” he said

MADELEINE CUMMINGS

[email protected]

Twitter.com/madcummings