CONWAY — Like many small New England towns with aging populations, Conway needs senior housing.
With recently proposed developments in Sunderland, Deerfield and one in Conway that was recently called off, senior housing is at the forefront of southern Franklin County agendas.
But unlike other communities, Conway faces unique difficulties posed by its hilly, wet terrain. And when a viable parcel does become available, it’s often restricted to farmland use or set aside for preservation purposes.
According to Housing Committee Chairwoman Pixie Holbrook, of the town’s 1,900 residents, more than 36 percent are over 55, yet there aren’t any senior housing options in town. In a 2015 survey, 25 percent of roughly 100 respondents said they were “highly interested” in a Conway senior housing project, easily accessible via main roads, Holbrook said.
Projections suggest that the need for viable housing options is only going to increase in years to come.
The state Executive Office of Elder Affairs projects a 167 percent increase in Conway residents over 60 between 2000 to 2020. In comparison, Deerfield is expected to see a 60 percent increase; Whately, 100 percent; and Sunderland could see a 136 percent increase.
“Our market study shows that not only do they not want to leave hilltown communities, their home, but the inventory of senior housing is minimal in the whole valley,” Holbrook said.
Data from the Department of Housing and Urban Development had similar findings at the state level. In 2010, there were about 66,000 housing units outfitted for the disabled and elders, meeting the needs of roughly 850,000 Mass. residents over 65 years old, based on a 2010 state census. By 2015, the number of senior citizens living in Mass. had risen to over 1 million.
Holbrook’s involvement in Conway’s search for senior housing began 12 years ago, and was influenced by her mother’s positive experience at Northampton’s Lathrop Community. There, her mother “became a supported and engaged member of a vibrant group of ‘active seniors.’”
In contrast to Northampton, Holbrook realized there aren’t similar options for Conway’s seniors. Over the years, she’s witnessed senior homeowners forced to move elsewhere into smaller, more accommodating and accessible residences.
“They don’t want to heat and maintain that three- or four-bedroom home anymore. They want the simplicity of 1,000-square-foot home with two bedrooms,” Holbrook said, continuing, “but they also don’t want to leave Conway for … where?”
Proposals have come and gone in the last decade. The most recent proposition, purchasing land on Maple Street for a small senior housing project, fell through. Before it was called off, Selectboard Chairman John P. O’Rourke said the project received criticism from abutters — another difficulty in finding viable land.
“While the need (for senior housing) exists and the concept is good, the ‘not in my back yard’ attitude can create opposition and prevent practical community solutions,” O’Rourke said. He added, “the Housing Committee will continue to search and, hopefully, someday a situation will present itself that satisfies the many environmental, economic and community criteria to successfully develop a senior affordable housing project in Conway.”
As an example of a small-town community that has overcome these challenges, Holbrook pointed to Westhampton Woods, a successful 16-residence project built on 10 acres in Westhampton, which took 20 years to become a reality.
In more recent years, the search has become personal for Holbrook.
“I’m now looking at myself in my late 60s, with the large ‘empty nest,’ wondering where I will go next. I have a wonderful husband, quite a bit older than me, which adds another concern,” Holbrook said, adding, “then I look side to side at my community of friends in town, and realize I am not alone.”
You can reach Andy Castillo
at: acastillo@recorder.com