The name “Hesperus” comes from the Greek word for Venus – the “evening star.” Setting after the sun, it signifies the end of the day, but through its own movement it changes from the evening to the morning star – “Aurora.” Thus, it embodies the metamorphoses taking place in the life cycle itself.
Hesperus Village in Vaughan, Ontario is a seniors’ affordable housing residence offering an independent lifestyle and a rich quality of life. Half of the apartments are rent-geared-to-income units. Hesperus is surrounded by a protected green space on a wooded ravine along the East Don River. Many apartments have garden patios.
Hesperus residents may choose to enjoy communal meals and many participate in a variety of social, cultural, spiritual, and gardening activities. Hesperus balances the strengths of a strong institutional organization with the nurturing aspects of a caring community. Residents experience the aging process with dignity and grace.
Hesperus encourages interaction between the generations, people of diverse cultures, people on various spiritual paths, and those with a variety of interests, skills and talents.
Hesperus residents enjoy the security of an on-site medical clinic with three physicians offering both conventional and holistic care. Trained personal support workers are also available as needed.
is already a leader in providing rent-geared-to-income housing and care to seniors. Our expansion will help meet the increasing demand for affordable accommodation in the York Region. An increasing number of seniors, at a stage in life when maintaining a home is difficult, often feel isolated and lonely. Physical limitations make it advisable for them to live in a safe and nurturing environment.
In 2009, York Region had over 5,800 households, including some 2,700 seniors, on its affordable housing wait list. The Hesperus wait list was six times the number of residents at that time. We just had to expand! Hesperus received $4.8 million in government grants from the federal, provincial and regional governments to build 33 one-bedroom and 27 two bedroom affordable rental seniors' apartments.
An Inspired Vision
- On-Site Medical Clinic-comfort, convenience, and security of three family physicians and providing a choice of conventional and holistic medicine as well as therapeutic services.
- Park-like Setting-surrounded by a green space space, organic gardens, and a wooded ravine along the East Don River
- Innovative Approach-residents coming together to support one another; a high degree of social interaction
- Inter-generational-residents sharing campus with a school; promoting interaction with all age groups
- Interactive-encouraging personal growth and development by following a positive approach to aging
- Inclusive-a secular community steeped in a rich culture of celebratory life cultivating openness and acceptance of all spiritual paths
- Active Lifestyle-residents may participate in a communal meal plan, visit an on-site farmer's market, and enjoy painting & clay classes, physical activities, and a culturally rich community life
- Care Providers-residents have the option of receiving assistance from Home Support Workers often eliminating the or delaying the need to movie into a nursing home or long term care facilities
- Affordable Rents-all rents are affordable; 50% will be rent-geared-to income