10 July 2000

Pensioner Housing Receives a Boost

A new approach to housing for the elderly is one step closer to reality thanks to Auckland City’s Community Development Committee.

Auckland City has transferred council-owned land in Sandringham to the ownership of Abbeyfield Auckland Inc., part of a national charity specialising in an alternative style of pensioner housing. The gift will enable the organisation to build an Abbeyfield house on the Carrie Street site.

Chair of the Community Development Committee, Cr Penny Sefuiva, who has been working behind the scenes on the project, believes that the partnership between Auckland City and Abbeyfield is an excellent example of agencies working together to provide basic community services.

“I have always supported the Abbeyfield concept. Theirs is an innovative model for housing people who are in need of minimal support to maintain independence.”

A driving force behind the land transfer has been councillor, Maire Leadbeater who says she is delighted to see the project come to fruition. “A number of people have already expressed interest in becoming residents at Abbeyfield, which is extremely gratifying. These are people who would value the contact and stimulation of living with others, rather than on their own.”

Abbeyfield houses provide private bed-siting rooms with an en-suite, in a large house for eight to 10 residents, who share living and dining room, kitchen and laundry facilities. The live-in housekeeper shops, provides two daily meals and keeps a supportive eye on the household. They are not rest homes and do not provide medical care.

There are already two Abbeyfield homes in New Zealand, one in Nelson and the second in Masterton.

Chairperson of Abbeyfield Auckland, Marilyn Reynolds, says the society has agreed to begin work on a house for the Sandringham property within three years. The future of the existing old units has yet to be decided, but eventually they will be demolished.

Ms Reynolds says the Abbeyfield concept is particularly appropriate for active, independent elderly people whose present accommodation no longer meets their needs. “There are 13,000 people over 65 living on the Auckland isthmus and many of these people might find the Abbeyfield idea attractive.”

ENDS

For further information contact:
Cr Maire Leadbeater, Tel 376 9098
Abbeyfield Auckland Inc, Marilyn Reynolds, Tel 379 6479
Ref: LJ

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