Town Seeks Residential Input on Senior Housing Needs

The town of Wilmington’s Planning & Conservation Office is seeking information from residents regarding housing needs for seniors. The town has developed a short survey to help guide the development of housing solutions that meet the requirements and expectations of residents 50 years and older.

This concerted effort was launched in response to the vote at Annual Town Meeting in May of this year, to approve funding for a Facility Master Plan. The proposal for funding was focused on addressing the Town’s future municipal building needs. As part of the debate, voters expressed a desire to look at the housing challenges seniors face in Town in conjunction with the Facility Master Plan effort. The senior housing component was incorporated as an amendment to the article for funding for the Facility Master Plan, and approved by Annual Town Meeting.

To better understand the needs of existing and future seniors, the survey is designed to collect information about the current housing challenges experienced or anticipated by seniors, and the types of housing that will address those challenges. The survey seeks information regarding factors such as cost, design, and location of available housing.

Residents 50 years and older are asked to participate in the survey by going to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WilmingtonSeniorHousing. A paper version is also available at the Wilmington Memorial Library and the Buzzell Senior Center. Paper surveys should be returned to Town Hall. The survey is 14 questions long and should take no more than five minutes to complete. All responses are anonymous. Responses will be collected through October.

Information gathered through the survey will guide the town’s next steps on senior housing including identifying project opportunities, developing policies and programs, and informing budgetary objectives that support seniors staying in Wilmington.

For more information about the Senior Housing Survey contact Valerie Gingrich, Director of Planning and Development at 978-658-3311 or at vgingrich@wilmingtonma.gov.