HOUSING AND COUNCILS 10 YEAR PLAN
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
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Council Meeting for older adults & people with disabilities
The mayor and a slim majority of the newly elected NPDC councillors are keen to see the, “Age and Accessibility Working Party”, a long-standing Council committee, scrapped.
This is not to save the minimal cost of having such a committee. But simply put; it means these councillors believe that older adults and all those with disabilities in our community do not warrant being recognised, respected or treated as people whose voice is important, to them.
On Thursday 18 December (that is, this coming Thursday) at 10am, in the Council Debating Chamber, the full council will have an opportunity to vote, “to Re-establish an Age and accessibility Working Party”.
But we need your help to get it passed. We need you at the meeting to show your support for this committee. This committee is important for the voice of the older person or people who have accessibility or challenges in our community, to be heard.
We have many in examples of what happens when council fails to listen to people with disabilities, resulting in remedial work costing tens of thousands of dollars.
Let’s support those councillors who do support the reinstatement of this committee.
Please consider joining the myriad of organisations supporting older adults and those with disabilities.
If you cannot come to the Council chambers, email the Mayor and inform him what you think. His email is; max.brough@npdc.govt.org.nz.
I hope that we will see you there.
There is parking for just $1 per hour at the YMCA opposite the Council in Liardet Street.
Poll: Are our Kiwi summer holidays helping us recharge, or holding the economy back? ☀️🥝
There’s growing debate about whether New Zealand’s extended Christmas break (and the slowdown that comes with it) affects productivity.
Tracy Watkins has weighed in ... now it’s your turn. What’s your take? 🤔
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71.9% We work hard, we deserve a break!
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16.3% Hmm, maybe?
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11.7% Yes!
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