We are a group of dedicated volunteers working to establish an affordable seniors’ residence tailored to the needs of the Muslim community in the Greater Toronto Area. Our initiative is community-driven and based on a self-help model that emphasizes dignity, affordability, and cultural sensitivity.
The idea for this project emerged in 2023 through discussions among senior members of the community, who collectively recognized an urgent and long-standing gap in suitable housing options for Muslim seniors. With an aging population and limited culturally appropriate facilities available, many seniors are currently facing significant hardship due to the lack of adequate retirement housing in Canada, particularly within the GTA.
Muslim seniors often have specific dietary requirements that call for meals prepared in accordance with religious guidelines, which differ from standard culinary practices. In addition, daily congregational prayers form an essential part of religious life, requiring access to dedicated prayer spaces. These needs, while fundamental to the community, are often difficult to accommodate in conventional seniors’ residences.
Our vision is to create a residential environment that not only provides comfortable and affordable housing for seniors, but also respects and integrates their religious, cultural, and social practices. The proposed facility is designed to support independence, foster community engagement, and reduce social isolation, while remaining mindful of affordability and long-term sustainability.
Initially, the concept involved developing a purpose-built seniors’ residence by acquiring land and constructing a new facility. However, this approach was found to involve significant regulatory, financial, and time-related challenges, with a lengthy development period that does not align with the immediate needs of today’s seniors.
As a more practical and timely solution, we are exploring the acquisition of an under-construction condominium building that can be adapted into a seniors’ residence. Shared services essential to seniors would be managed through a collective funding model overseen by a residents’ management committee. This approach ensures transparency, resident participation, and cost control, while allowing the community to retain full oversight of policies and operations without external interference.
We believe this model offers a realistic, efficient, and community-centered pathway to addressing the housing needs of Muslim seniors in Canada, while upholding their values, independence, and quality of life.
MUSLIM SENIORS RESIDENCE 