Why don’t they use some of the housing funds for families to convert their garages to a grandparent’s suite to lessen the burden on the system and help keep families involved with their elders?
Some home nursing care on a weekly basis could also be utilized to ensure that families meet the health care and housing standards and such. If it came down to it, I think most people care more about their parents than their cars, or so I would hope, and to convert a garage might cost between $10,000 and $25,000.
This might create about 1,000 to 3,000 units in the Red Deer area alone, and the families would supplement their income, perhaps, as well as providing a place for their parents.
Also, it would create jobs and the units could be built to greener standards. Just some thoughts.
Ed Jonas
Red Deer