The Shaw House is an exciting project that will renovate and upgrade an Island house, abandoned for 20 years, into a facility providing 4 bed-sitting rooms and 2 apartments for seniors. The project will use innovative environmental technologies, community volunteers and, with the grant, will provide an opportunity for young people to learn about building, project management, and life skills. Toronto Island seniors face particular challenges. Stubborn and independent by nature, many older Islanders are determined to stay on the Island despite their growing frailty, the severe weather in winter, the lack of cars, the deteriorating condition of their frame houses and the difficulty of getting repairs.
Seniors occupy nineteen percent of Island homes.
Many over the age of 80 live alone and face up to a kilometer walk to the ferry. When completed the Shaw House will provide alterative housing, with reasonable rents, where seniors can support each other with comfort and care. An additional benefit of the project is that it will free up much needed family housing and bring new people to the Island. The Shaw House, designed by architects Martin Liefhebber and Ian Trites, will incorporate many innovative environmental features that will reduce carbon dioxide and serious pollutants into the atmosphere. In 1995 the Island Pioneers were determined to save the old vacant house and were joined in the campaign by a number of other Island groups.