Ten tenants will soon have a new place to call home following the completion of new pensioner housing units at Cambridge’s Vaile Court.
The 10 one-bedroom units have been built next to Council’s existing 16 pensioner units on the corner of Thompson and Shakespeare Streets.
Mayor Susan O’Regan said Waipā was one of the few councils in New Zealand that still provided pensioner housing. The aim was to create homes that not only met immediate needs but also enhanced quality of life.
“These units are built to a six Homestar rating, promising energy savings and a healthier living environment with improved warmth and dryness,” she said.
The units are in the centre of Leamington, close to shops, a medical centre, a supermarket and pharmacy.
“There is a genuine need within the community to provide eligible seniors with affordable accommodation and the demand for pensioner housing in Waipā is increasing as the aging population grows,” O’Regan said.
Waipā District Council partnered with Habitat for Humanity Central Region and Ministry of Housing and Urban Development to deliver the project.
Habitat for Humanity Central Region chief executive Nic Greene said the Community Housing Provider was seeing people of all generations impacted by housing affordability and supply challenges.
“Through working with Waipā District Council and central government, we’re proud to be able to grow our offering of affordable, secure homes to older people in the district,” Greene said.
Council will own and maintain the units and Habitat for Humanity will manage the tenants and rental process.
The new units will add to Waipā’s existing 93 pensioner units spread across Cambridge, Kihikihi and Te Awamutu. These will now house a total of 117 tenants.
