Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/829776
10 MAY 26 - JUNE 4, 2017 Nobody should spend their golden years in the closet. That's one reason a Rainbow Resource Centre committee is working to fill a housing gap for LGBT2SQ* seniors. Volunteer chair John Kletke says the Positive Spaces Initiative aims to create affirming and affordable housing, reviving a concept that was originally developed in the 1990s. "I've travelled a lot and I've lived in quite a few places in Canada and I'm seeing the same thing everywhere — there's no seniors housing for us," says Kletke, who will turn 60 this year. "I fought the battle back in the '70s. I don't want to fight it again when I am 70. I know of people who've gone into nursing homes and had to go back into the closet. That's why we're finding that this is so important." The group has hosted several town hall meetings and has determined there is enough demand to make the initiative viable. The vision is to build one or two buildings that will offer 90 to 120 accessible suites, ranging from about 330 to 1,000 square feet to meet the needs of different budgets. Approximately 55 per cent of the space will be residential, with the remainder committed to commercial and communal areas. It's important to include amenities that will encourage seniors to socialize and stay active, Kletke notes. "We found that a lot of older gay people stay in their apartments because there's no activities for them," he says. "We're going to have crafts rooms, gardens, computer rooms because we want to get people out." The project might also include apartments for students who would pay a reduced rent in return for helping out the older tenants. "The students could be very helpful with attending to us older people, maybe taking someone for a walk or just sitting and talking to them or helping with laundry," Kletke says. "And we can pass on our life experience to the younger people." Another idea is to offer temporary housing for LGBT2SQ* refugees or new Canadians. "Sometimes people come from countries where they've run away because they're gay. We're going to have a few rooms where we can put maybe six to 10 people at time for three to six months. We can help them and show them around so they're not just coming here and having to live on the streets," Kletke says. "We're trying to do something different." The committee hopes construction will be underway within two years, in a central location with easy access to transit. For now, the focus is on raising funds, through public and private sources. "We're looking at roughly $50 million for land and building and all the work. There's a lot of fundraising that has to go on, from little to big," Kletke says. "Anyone is more than welcome to get in touch with us for anything — if they want information, if they want to volunteer, if they have ideas. We're very open." To learn more about the Positive Spaces Initiative, email ps@rainbowresourcecentre.org. Creating Positive Housing for Seniors By Jennifer McFee I know of people who've gone into nursing homes and had to go back into the closet. That's why we're finding that this is so important." Honoured to Support the 2017 Pride Winnipeg Festival www.ufcw832.com