An Approach to Support Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs) in Toronto

In June 2024, City Council directed SSLTC to develop the third Toronto Seniors Strategy, which will continue to develop and adapt City programs, policies, and strategic initiatives to better support aging in place, particularly for seniors who are Indigenous, Black, and those who belong to equity-deserving groups. There is an opportunity to incorporate an approach to supporting seniors living in NORCs into the third Toronto Seniors Strategy. NORCs are regular residential buildings or neighbourhoods that have naturally become home to a high density of seniors and older adults. A building or neighbourhood can evolve over time into and out of its status as a NORC, in line with changing population dynamics. Therefore, programming and supports for NORCs should be adaptable, accessible, and flexible. Although the concept of NORCs is being explored by non-government institutions, they have not been formalized as an official type of residence or community by the City of Toronto or any other municipality in Canada. To date, the City of Toronto has been supporting seniors to age in place in a multitude of ways, including seniors who live in NORCs. In alignment with City Council direction and the City's ongoing work to support aging in place, SSLTC conducted engagements with select divisions named or implicated in the direction from City Council (2023.MM13.13). Based on SSLTC's inter-divisional engagements, this report outlines current initiatives led by City divisions that support aging in place across three key areas: health and well-being, mobility and safety, and design and planning. This report outlines future opportunities to enhance seniors' access to City programs and services that may support their quality of life. This report also describes proposed next steps for a City-wide approach to supporting NORCs through the third Toronto Seniors Strategy, to better enable seniors to age in place safely and independently. SSLTC plans to enhance collaboration with City divisions and identify potential new partnerships to better support seniors living in NORCs; develop a shared understanding of NORCs across City divisions; and explore key NORC-related topics through the community consultations that will inform the third Toronto Seniors Strategy. Making these new linkages and determining key areas for action will better enable coordinated access to municipal services for seniors to promote aging in place.