Stage 1: Build the Case

Goal of this Stage:  

The goal of this first stage of work is to secure organizational support and resources to explore participation in the development of housing for vulnerable older adults.

At the conclusion of this stage, organizational leaders should have a good understanding of how leading or participating in a housing project aligns with the organization's mission, values and strategy.   Through this stage, you will gain an understanding of what role(s) your organization may play in the development and operation of housing for older adults and what capacity and resources you can bring to a project. You should also have an internal housing lead or champion, the green light from your Board to move forward (e.g. a Board motion or amended mission statement), and access to the internal resources you need to begin exploring possible development options. 

Key Questions to Answer: 

• What housing options exist in your community for older adults and where are the gaps?

• Which older adults are in greatest need of appropriate housing in your community? 

• How does housing fit within your organization’s mission, values, and strategy?

• Why should your organization commit resources (staff capacity, land or capital) 

• What resources can your organization bring forward to support the development of new housing for older adults (e.g. leadership, land, capital, expertise, staff capacity)? 

• What role(s) could your organization play in the development and ongoing operation of affordable housing for older adults (e.g., land provision, housing operation, property management, support services)?

• Who else in your community could you work with to develop new affordable housing?

• How supportive is your organization’s leadership team and Board of this work?

What Needs to be Done: 

1. Understand the housing needs of older adults in your community 

2. Assess alignment of housing with your organization’s mission, strategy and capacity

3. Identify potential project team members, partners and stakeholders

4. Build the case for your organization’s involvement in housing 

5. Secure organizational commitment to explore development options and feasibility  

For more detail on each of these steps, download the Building with Mission Playbook. 

Tools To Try

• Problem mapping

• Futures scenarios

• Stakeholder mapping

Helpful Resources

• The Roles That Healthcare Delivery Organizations Can Play in Building Housing

• Organizational Readiness Assessment