HOUSING AND COUNCILS 10 YEAR PLAN

Stephanie from Spotswood

Housing and the Council’s Ten Year Plan…
Actually, housing gets barely a mention in the Council’s Ten Year Plan.
And that is a significant problem because we all, except it seems the Council, are aware of the effects of the ‘baby boomer’ generation is happening now!
We have a rapid increase in the number of older adults over the age of 65 and a dramatic increase in adults over the age of 85 years.
 
Age Sector NZ has stated that 61,121 retirement units will be needed within the next ten years.
Statistics NZ estimates by 2040 approximately 600,000 65+ will be renting, so many of them will be living alone.
More older adults will experience housing insecurity in the coming years unless the country dramatically increases its supply of affordable homes for people ages 65 and up, who make up roughly one-fifth of the nation.
 
The Council currently operate 145 housing units for the elderly in a self-funded model. This approach is not keeping up with the need to upgrade and expand the housing stock. We are proposing to create a working capital fund of approximately $4m at a cost of $200,000 per
annum to provide for:
• Improvement and expansion of the housing for elderly service noting that this is contrary to
the current self-funding position of the Housing for the Elderly Policy.
• Expanding Council’s role in the provision of housing beyond housing for the elderly.
Given the crisis facing housing for older people this demonstrates a clear lack of interest, let alone commitment to the growing plight of so many of our older citizens.
An increasing share of people with low and fixed incomes will struggle to afford appropriate housing in the coming decade and we just don't have the housing and supports that we need for this growing population.
Our Council seems to continually dodge this issue - but it is growing larger day by day.
What can you do?
Contact your Council and tell them your concerns re housing for older adults.
 
 If you can – urgently contact the Council by emailing a submission detailing your concerns to submissions@npdc.govt.nz or going online to: npdc.govt.nz/10-year-plan
Affordable housing for vulnerable older adults in our community is a ‘must’ not a ‘nice to have’
Gordon Hudson, Communications… 021 133 7244, gordonandjanr@xtra.co.nz
Positive Ageing NP