ERVING — After decades of talking about the need for senior housing in town, officials are making strides to better understand, not only the town elders’ need for housing, but also their desires.
The town is asking that residents 55 and older in Erving take a survey to tell the town what their housing preferences are. The Town of Erving Housing Committee sent out the form last week to all the senior households, said Paula Betters, a member of the housing committee.
The form asks questions about preferences for different types of living arrangements, like one-bedroom apartments or single-family homes, as part of a study commissioned in April with the help of a Community Development Block Grant for up to $16,400.
The survey is the first step in consulting firm LDS Consulting Group’s investigation into the market demand for senior housing in the community.
The next phase of the plan would be a feasibility study to look at cost and a possible location. “The survey could show that there is no need, if it shows that there is a need then the Selecboard will sit down and have a discussion about it,” said Chairman William Bembury.
If officials were to move forward with a plan for new senior housing, they would then present the idea at a special town meeting or at the annual town meeting to get approval from the voters, said Bembury, also a member of the housing committee.
About 400 households were mailed the survey, but extra forms are available at the Senior Center. The form is anonymous and asks questions about income, family size and preferences for pricing.
Lynne Sweet of LDS Consulting said that while the results of the study are still in progress, it is already apparent that there are mostly single family homes and few rentals in town, leaving few options for empty nesters. “Right now seniors in Erving don’t have a lot of choices for housing,” said Sweet. “The first step is to understand what the seniors want and what they can afford.”
The form has 42 questions plus a space to write additional comments and should take about ten minutes to complete. If residents need help filling out the survey or have questions, they are welcome to come to the Senior Center for assistance, said Betters. The Senior Center also has a drop box for completed forms. Residents can also fill the survey out online at:
svy.mk/28OfmlS.
After the survey deadline at 5 p.m. on July 8, the firm will reconvene with the town Housing Committee to give recommendations and talk about possible next steps.
While members of the community are excited about the prospect of new senior housing, some say that action can’t come soon enough. “I’m hearing at the Senior Center that by the time they build the building, ‘I’ll be dead,’” said Betters.
In an interview with The Recorder Carole Lyman, 79, said that she has been writing letters to the selectmen over the years expressing her concern. “We need housing, bad,” Lyman said. “I told them I am going to be fighting for senior housing until I die.”
You can reach Lisa Spear at lspear@recorder.com
or 413-772-0261, ext. 280