Sprucelawn Apartments

We live in a prosperous community, yet many seniors struggle to find affordable housing. In response, Sprucelawn Apartments for Seniors is expanding!

Laverne Brubacher, the longtime chair of the Sprucelawn Board of Directors, has been leading this redevelopment since it was originally envisioned in 2012.

“We need to ensure there are affordable places in our community for seniors, where they can also live with dignity.”

Laverne Brubacher
Capital Campaign Chair

The Capital Campaign

The Beyond Housing business model is simple and highly effective. For each project, construction costs are covered by a combination of government grants, private donations, and a mortgage.

The $2 million capital campaign will ensure the rent received from tenants is sufficient to pay the ongoing mortgage and operating costs.

By supporting this project, you can help seniors in our community to experience the dignity and stability that come from having an appropriate, accessible, and affordable home.

A Collaborative Expansion Project

Sprucelawn Apartments for Seniors

In the early 1980s the Lutheran, United, and Mennonite churches in St. Jacobs recognized the need for affordable housing in their community. Together, they developed Sprucelawn Apartments for Seniors. The 30 units created have been providing housing with rents less than 80% of the market rates ever since.

In 2012 the board of Sprucelawn began to consider a possible expansion in response to a growing need.  An adjoining property was purchased, and plans were developed for 28 new units, consisting of 20 one-bedroom and 8 two-bedroom apartments, along with parking.

Two strong not-for-profit organizations – Sprucelawn and Beyond Housing – partnered to accomplish something that could not have been done alone.

They submitted a joint proposal to The Region of Waterloo in 2021 and secured funding support for the one-bedroom apartments.

On February 1, 2022, Sprucelawn and Beyond Housing amalgamated, demonstrating that the urgent need for affordable housing often requires a collaborative approach to be successful.

The previous Sprucelawn board continues to be actively involved as committee members for Beyond Housing.

Recognizing the need for affordable seniors’ housing, all levels of government committed considerable funding to this project. A key aspect of Beyond Housing’s approach is that its projects must be financially sustainable going forward. Given this, a Capital Campaign is currently underway to raise $2 million dollars.

“Sprucelawn has been my home for 22 years. I’ve been a widow since 2003 and can’t imagine how much different things would have been if I hadn’t had something that I can afford. I am truly grateful to live here.”

Lorna
Sprucelawn tenant

“The natural setting at Sprucelawn is wonderful for my mental and physical health. We live independently, but not alone”

Connie
Sprucelawn tenant

Questions?

We are here for you.
Feel free to reach out by calling
226-476-2535 or by email to ddriedger@beyondhousing.ca

Dan Driedger
Executive Director

Laverne Brubacher
Capital Campaign Chair