Waipa commits to pensioner housing
14 October 2014
Waipa District Council has reaffirmed its commitment to providing pensioner housing for elderly people in the district.
Councillors today gave strong support to five core principles put forward by a working group set up to review the council's pensioner housing policy. The existing policy has been in place for nearly five years and must be formally reviewed by February. The principles will form the basis of a new draft housing policy to be discussed with the community next year.
Today Councillors confirmed their commitment to providing pensioner housing in the future and agreed the housing should be self-funding, without any rates input. Councillors also agreed that any money generated by pensioner housing would be ring-fenced for pensioner housing use, that administration costs would be recovered and that pensioner housing should be considered a strategic asset for the district.
Mayor Jim Mylchreest said demographic information clearly showed there would be a genuine need for long-term affordable accommodation for the elderly in Waipa. By 2033, more than one third of Waipa's population will be over 65, increasing to 43 per cent by 2063.
"It's important to note that we are talking about pensioner housing, not about social housing which is quite different. This is about housing largely elderly people with limited incomes," Mayor Mylchreest said.
Waipa District Council owns 126 pensioner housing units in Kihikihi, Cambridge and Te Awamutu. The Palmer Street complex in Te Awamutu needs major maintenance work and the council wants a new policy in place before committing funds for that work. The working group's final recommendations, including options for Palmer Street, are scheduled to be presented in December.
Members of the working group are councillors Andrew Brown and Vern Wilson from Te Awamutu plus councillors Liz Stolwyk and Judy Bannon from Cambridge. The Mayor is an ex-officio member of the group which is supported by council staff.
ENDS
Media enquiries to Jeanette Tyrrell (on behalf of Council) 027 5077 599
