Demand for Affordable Seniors Housing Surges in Calgary as Costs Rise, Population Ages

Like many renters in Calgary, seniors are being hit hard by the rising costs and shortage of housing in the city — and agencies providing them with affordable options are struggling to keep up.

Silvera for Seniors, a non-profit affordable housing provider in Calgary, has seen demand for seniors housing skyrocket this year.

From January to May this year, Silvera received 2,696 requests for housing. That's a 124-per cent increase from 2022, when the provider received 1,204 inquiries in that same period.

There are currently 551 seniors on Silvera's waitlist, and growing.

"The waitlists are really alarming," said Silvera CEO Arlene Adamson.

"When you know you're the last call for someone who is needing housing and who can ill afford to be waiting on a waitlist, who is facing potentially living out their life at a hospital, that's unacceptable."

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