A Site Selection Process for Enhanced Programming in Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities and Social Housing

An Equity- and Data-Driven Methodology

Bibliographic Data

ID22415751
AuthorsKyara J Liu (0000-0002-7150-6485, University of Toronto), Stephanie Hatzifilalithi (0000-0001-6368-679X, University of Toronto), Stephanie Hatzifilalithis (University of Toronto), Jen Recknagel (University Health Network), Doulat Bibi Ali Yar (University Health Network), Joe Pedulla (University Health Network), Kathrin Brunner (University Health Network), Lisa Meschino (University Health Network), Shoshana Hahn‐Goldberg (University Health Network), Shoshana Hahn-Goldberg (University Health Network), Lavina Matai (0000-0002-6022-5928, ICES), Alexa Boblitz (0000-0003-2939-1431, ICES), Kerry Bruner (Women's College Hospital), Kerry J Bruner (Women's College Hospital), Paula A Rochon (0000-0002-5973-4151, University of Toronto), Rachel D Savage (Women's College Hospital), Rachel Savage (0000-0002-2746-373X, University of Toronto, corresponding author)
Year2026
Volume45
Issue2
Pages273-280
Publication date2026-06-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueCanadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0714-9808 • E-ISSN: 1710-1107
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s0714980826100543
PMID41693524
OpenAlexW7129017129
LanguageEN
References cited23

Naturally occurring retirement communities (NORCs) are geographic areas that have come to house a high proportion (≥30%) of older residents. Implementing onsite social programming in NORCs, or other places where older adults are clustered, can support aging in place. As such it is important to be able to identify sites that could benefit. We describe a data and equity-driven process used to select NORC and social housing sites for a program aimed at empowering older adults and strengthening aging in place in Toronto, Canada. We (1) created a data-driven shortlist of buildings with population-level data, (2) prioritized equity by targeting buildings with high health needs and neighbourhood-level diversity, and (3) facilitated building and resident engagement to assess interest and suitability. This process offers a novel and replicable approach for selecting sites for enhanced, place-based programming that can inform site selection for other community-based programming for older adults across diverse contexts.

Aging in place · Independent living · Site selection · Assistive Technology in Communication and Mobility · Health disparities and outcomes · Migration, Aging, and Tourism Studies

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