Habitat for Humanity Central Region chief executive Nic Greene and Waipā mayor Susan O'Regan handing over the keys for the Vaile Court pensioner housing units.
Habitat for Humanity Central Region chief executive Nic Greene and Waipā mayor Susan O'Regan handing over the keys for the Vaile Court pensioner housing units.
Ten new pensioner units have been added to Waipā's 93 units spread across Cambridge, Kihikihi and Te Awamutu, now housing 117 tenants.
The one-bedroom units are in the centre of Leamington at Vaile Court, close to shops, a medical centre, a supermarket and a pharmacy.
Money for the units was first put aside in 2018 and the council originally planned to have the units occupied by late 2020 but Covid put a hold on the project.
Mayor Susan O’Regan said Waipā was one of the few councils in New Zealand still providing pensioner housing.
The aim was to create homes that not only meet immediate needs but enhance quality of life.
Official handover of Vaile Court pensioner housing units attended by mana whenua, Waipā mayor Susan O'Regan, deputy mayor Liz Stolwyk, Habitat for Humanity, Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Cambridge Community Board, Livingstone Building, Camex, APG Architects, consultants and council staff.
“These units are built to a six Homestar rating, promising energy savings and a healthier living environment with improved warmth and dryness.
“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 ageing 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.
The council will own and maintain the units and Habitat for Humanity would manage the tenants and rental process.
