Over the past ten years, there has been significant growth and evolution within the seniors’ housing industry, but none so dramatic as the changes that have occurred over the last year.  In spite of the changing seniors’ housing industry, Green Acres Foundation has continued to grow, evolve and flourish.  

However, the pace of change has accelerated so dramatically recently that the Foundation has had to re-examine its plans and goals for the future to ensure that they are still achievable and more importantly, that they are still    viable.  The greatest changes have come in the local marketplace.  In the past three years, Lethbridge has seen the construction of several new seniors’ housing facilities—Martha’s House, West Highlands, and most recently, The Views at Lethbridge. 

The trend of seniors delaying a move to housing accommodations has become an immediate issue due to the removal of the $3000 home care ceiling by the Provincial Government in 2007.  Because of this change, it is anticipated that the average age of residents moving into a lodge facility will increase even further, resulting in frailer applicants who require more and more ‘health’ services.  Consequently, partnerships with Alberta Health Services will become an integral component of Green Acres Foundation business as it strives to fulfill its mission to be responsive to the changing needs of its customers.

Green Acres Foundation is recognized, and has long been praised for being forward thinking and innovative in the provision of housing.  Green Acres Foundation must use and maximize these abilities in order to explore other housing, service, and funding options in order to extend the useful life of its older buildings.

The Foundation continues to evolve and plan for future growth and has facilities in every part of the city except west Lethbridge.  As this area of the City has the fastest growing population, the Foundation recognizes the need to secure a building site in this sector.   The Foundation is hopeful that the City of Lethbridge will recognize and include seniors’ housing as a necessary component of the Westside.  Alternatively, Green Acres Foundation has an option to purchase land in the Westside core area for future development.  This development is slated to include schools, health facilities, and a library as the anchors of the development. 

Careful financial planning for future growth is a priority.  The Board of Directors is committed to building capital reserves for the construction of a future lodge.  Construction of this future lodge is slated to begin in 2012, however, the Board will need to examine if this timeframe is still reasonable given the changes in the current market situation, as well as exorbitant construction costs.

Green Acres Foundation completes a survey of its residents, tenants and employees on an annual basis.  Results from the 2009 surveys were very positive and showed that overall,  resident, tenants and staff are very satisfied and happy with the Foundation.

An active economy and the pending insurgence of the baby boomer generation has created a market that is difficult to plan for on a long-term basis.   A Strategic Plan was therefore completed in 2009.  This document will be the cornerstone of the development of the 2011-2013 Business Plan.