FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
“At a time when social isolation and affordable community housing in Ontario are the hottest of topics, what an example Clarke Road could be for those looking for equitable solutions.”
-Brian Dunne, CEO of PHSS
London, Ontario – On the heels of a recent CTV News Feature, one of Ontario’s most unique residential communities is being featured in a new short documentary video, created by the PHSS community.
The video, entitled “The Magic of Clarke Road”, features a five-year-old intentional community initiative in the City of London, and the people who call it home. The Clarke Road community was established by PHSS in 2018, when the location was obtained by PHSS from the City of London, under a formula that allowed tenants to pay significantly reduced rents. The 14-unit building is home to persons with varying disabilities supported by PHSS, as well as a mix of people from the wider community; including working people, retired persons and families.
“At a time when social isolation and community housing in Ontario are the hottest of topics, what an example Clarke Road could be for those looking for equitable solutions,” said PHSS President and CEO, Brian Dunne. “The lives of those we support at Clarke Road residence are enhanced through their interactions with their fellow residents and community members, and vice-versa. We have so much to teach one another.”
The concept for the mixed residential community at Clarke Road was inspired by the Babayagas House project, in Paris, France; a residential community created by women who wanted to forge an alternative to institutional style living in their old age. The result in that case, was a 25-unit rent controlled building in Paris, with a mix of seniors and students. While the community at Clarke Road differs in that it is open to anyone over the age of 18, regardless of gender, the desire to create an affordable and truly inclusive community was at the heart of the idea.
‘After the pandemic, the call from all corners was for action on the issue of social isolation; to provide vulnerable people an opportunity, so that we could reduce presentations at our emergency departments and hospital admissions,” said Dunne. “At PHSS, we knew the power inclusiveness had to address these issues long before COVID-19. Clarke Road and its residents have a powerful lesson to teach us, and I couldn’t think of a better one for all of us to take on board.”
“The Magic of Clarke Road” can be viewed on the YouTube channel of the PHSS Community.
For more PHSS updates, visit the Agency’s newsroom.
