Unionville Commons Seniors Hub
York Region is building a seniors hub to be situated on the ground floor of Unionville Commons, a new affordable rental building for seniors in the City of Markham.
Overview
The Unionville Commons Seniors Hub (Seniors Hub) will offer inclusive and accessible seniors-focused programs and services for seniors living in Unionville Commons and surrounding communities. The Seniors Hub aims to create a sense of community and to help seniors age in place.
The Seniors Hub is approximately 11,000 square feet of space and will include the following amenities:
- A large, multi-purpose space
- An outdoor patio
- Multiple storefront spaces for partner organizations
Construction of the Seniors Hub is scheduled to begin in 2025 and it is expected to be open in 2026.
Background
York Region’s seniors’ population is growing faster than any other age group. By 2031, one in five people will be 65 years or older. York Region’s Seniors Strategy plans for the aging population to create age-friendly, complete communities that help seniors age in place. The Seniors Strategy identifies the need to build a seniors-focused, multi-service hub that provides a range of programs and services for seniors.
York Region Housing Services completed construction of Unionville Commons in 2023. Unionville Commons is a 265-unit affordable rental building for seniors located at 4310 Highway 7 East in the City of Markham. Unionville Commons is owned and operated by Housing York Inc., York Region’s affordable housing company. The Seniors Hub will operate on the ground floor of Unionville Commons.
Community engagement
2023 Needs assessment study update
In 2023, the Region updated the 2018 needs assessment study to help us better understand current community needs and identify how needs may have changed since 2018 and the COVID-19 pandemic. Both needs assessment studies will help inform design of the Seniors Hub and the programs and services offered.
- A total of 7 engagement sessions were held
- 108 online surveys were completed
Highlights from the updated study include:
- Many of the needs have remained consistent since 2018; however, community members expressed loneliness, isolation and grief are factors that have significantly impacted them resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic
- The need for community programming and recreation has grown significantly with the need for accessible programs, services and spaces to deliver services
- Mental health challenges increased because of the pandemic. Community members noted that social isolation had a significant impact, with an increased need for social connection and support
- Service partners noted that many seniors are now caregivers and are at risk of burnout
Thank you for your participation in the updated needs assessment study. For more information about the needs assessment study update, download the full What We Heard Report.
The Seniors Hub Advisory Group
York Region will continue to engage community members and agencies through the implementation of a Seniors Hub Advisory Group. Members will provide input, feedback and advice on strategic planning, operational activities and continual improvements for the Seniors Hub. The Seniors Hub Advisory Group will include diverse members including York Region residents, local community agencies, Unionville Commons tenants, York Region staff and City of Markham staff.
Advisory Group members will be familiar with topics related to seniors, their families and their caregivers. Members will represent the Region’s diversity, and the Advisory Group will feature equitable representation from a broad range of groups, including under-served and equity-deserving groups.
The application process to join the Advisory Group is now closed. Applicants will be contacted for an interview in Fall 2024, with Advisory Group members selected by Fall 2024.
Learn more about the Seniors Hub Advisory Group Terms of Reference
Partner organization selection
York Region will select partner organizations through a public procurement process beginning in 2024. Partner organizations will deliver seniors-focused programs and services at the Seniors Hub, in alignment with the Seniors Hub vision and goals, and the needs assessment study. If you are interested in becoming a partner organization or would like to receive additional information, please contact @email
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the goal of the Seniors Hub?
The goal of the Seniors Hub is to support the health and well-being of seniors from Unionville Commons and surrounding communities in the City of Markham by offering inclusive and accessible seniors-focused programming and services. The Seniors Hub will create a sense of community and support seniors to age in place.
How is York Region collaborating with the City of Markham on the Seniors Hub?
York Region continues to work with the City of Markham to plan and develop the Seniors Hub. The City of Markham has agreed to participate on the Advisory Group, help guide the establishment of an older adult club and participate in development of Seniors Hub programs and services.
What types of services and programs will be offered at the Seniors Hub?
Specific programs are yet to be finalized. Decisions on programs and services will be informed by findings from the previous and updated needs assessment studies, as well as consultation with the Seniors Hub Advisory Group.
What other agencies and/or partner organizations will deliver programs and services at the Seniors Hub?
York Region is committed to ensuring that Seniors Hub partners offer programs and services that meet the needs of seniors and the local community. Selection of partner organizations is anticipated in 2024.
Will there be a cost for services at the Seniors Hub?
There may be fees to access some programs and services; however, a guiding principle of the Seniors Hub is to offer affordable programs and services.
What is the Region’s financial contribution to the Hub?
York Region received funding through the Community, Culture and Recreation funding stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) to support capital costs to construct the Seniors Hub through contributions from the Federal, Provincial and Regional governments.
Who will operate the Seniors Hub?
York Region will lead hub operations, including sub-leasing space to partner organizations, coordinating day-to-day program and service delivery and securing and sustaining operational grants and funding.
What are the key findings and recommendations from the 2018 Needs Assessment?
The 2018 Needs Assessment study key findings and recommendations include:
- Provide a multi-purpose activity space that can accommodate a wide range of learning and recreational activities
- The most desired types of programs and services are physical health, recreation/leisure and personal support services
- Offer diverse programming related to nutrition, health and mental health promotion, recreation, information and education (including language), volunteerism, outdoor recreational programs, mentoring and social activities
- Offer physical health, mental health, and para-medical services on a rotational basis (vision and hearing clinics, footcare, diabetes clinic, arthritis clinic, dental services, etc.)
- Offer opportunities for personal and professional development
- Provide educational sessions on financial literacy, taxes and benefits, with a particular focus on services for newcomers
- Offer inter-generational programs during off-peak hours for community uses to maximize use of the Seniors Hub
- Address challenges to accessing existing services, including language, cultural, transportation and system navigation barriers
- Create a network of community linkages to facilitate system navigation
What is the Seniors Hub Advisory Group?
The Seniors Hub Advisory Group will include diverse members including York Region residents, local community agencies, Unionville Commons tenants, York Region staff and City of Markham staff. Advisory Group members will provide feedback on planning, operating and continually improving the Seniors Hub.
How can I participate in the Seniors Hub Advisory Group?
York Region is committed to providing opportunities for public engagement and contributions to Seniors Hub development. The application process to join the Seniors Hub Advisory Group is now closed. Applicants will be contacted for an interview in Fall 2024, with Advisory Group member selection in Fall 2024.
Will public transportation to the Seniors Hub and/or parking be available?
York Region Transit provides public transit in Unionville, including Conventional (Route 1 – Highway 7) and Bus Rapid Transit (Viva purple) along the Highway 7 Corridor. Available transit services at the future Seniors Hub site includes Route 522 – Markham Local, On-Request 65+ and On-Request Paratransit. More information is available at yrt.ca.
The site was designed to support active transportation and offers outdoor bicycle storage spaces, drop-off and pick-up areas and parking.
Contact Information
For more information about the Seniors Hub, contact @email or call Access York at 1-877-464-9675, TTY: 1-866-512-6228 (for deaf or hearing impaired).
