Toronto's Fudger House has allowed gay senior Alf Roberts to live openly and safely for the first time in his 80 years. But this one model of inclusive housing isn’t enough to meet the needs of Canada’s growing community of gay, bisexual and transgendered seniors.
Advocates say public housing communities like Fudger House are especially important to LGBT seniors, who often don’t have a traditional family support network. Twice as likely to age in isolation, these seniors are much less likely to have children or access to public assistance. Many fear they will be further victimized if they disclose their sexual orientation to health and social service agencies.
The success of Fudger House is largely due to its collaboration with neighborhood organizations that specialize in diversity, and the private sector cannot be relied upon to duplicate this model of success.
Ask the Canadian government to support more public initiatives for LGBT seniors.
We, the undersigned, see an urgent need for Canada to support more initiatives like Fudger House, which provide a positive living environment for its aging LGBT seniors.
Statistics regarding Canada’s LGBT seniors illustrate and justify this request that Canada step up efforts to develop more public housing communities like Fudger Houses - collaborative communities that specialize in diversity.
As Mr. Robert’s story illustrates, such housing would allow some seniors to live openly and safely for the first time in their lives, without having to fear asking for assistance or disclosing their sexual preferences.
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