During this phase, the project focused on exploring the unique aspects of creating purpose-driven housing for older adults in rural, small-urban and medium-urban sized communities. Northumberland County and Peterborough are both important case studies because they represent common trends occurring across communities in Canada. Trends include an aging population, limited diversity of housing stock and growing concerns with affordability. While this confluence of factors requires solutions to allow older adults to age in place, the literature focuses primarily on urban centres. As a result, this literature and statistical review is complemented by interviews with service providers in the two case study communities.
 

The result of this phase is a report, Rural and Urban Geographies: Exploring the strengths and constraints of rurality for older adult housing in Northumberland County and Peterborough. The focus of the report reflects the opportunities and constraints presented within the development of a hub-model in smaller or rural communities. Some of these include social engagement, mobility, sense of belonging, and access to services and amenities. While findings recognize that smaller communities share certain characteristics, differences also need to be acknowledged. Many descriptions of these communities can rely on romanticization or oversimplifications of life in these communities, therefore a more complex and nuanced understanding of particular communities is required to create housing solutions. The people and places described as medium-sized, small or rural are as complex as the large urban centres and have their own unique identities which shape needs for housing, aging in place, and social engagement initiatives.