Media release

30 June 2004

Older Adults Housing to Be Upgraded

Resident Louis Bollond with Councillor Brenda Brady.

Waitakere City Council's 335 Housing for Older Adults units are being reassessed prior to the launch of a programme of upgrading and renewal.

A start has been made at the Kaumatua Village at Te Atatu Peninsula and follows extensive work carried out at Wilsher Village earlier in the year.

Arrangements are being made to survey the balance of all the City's 12 villages to clarify what improvements are needed. Once the reports are received, they will be compiled into an overall asset management system to upgrade the villages progressively.

"It has taken a long time to get some action on these villages. Once we are clear about the overall programme of works, then we can start looking at individual villages and then at each unit," says Councillor Brenda Brady.

The Council is exploring the possibility of part-funding the cost of renewal, from a central government fund. This provides up to $30,000 per unit, on a case-by-case basis, provided certain conditions are fulfilled.

Resident David Taylor.

"It is expected that any renewal costs paid by the council will ultimately be met through depreciation. That way we can start planning improved retirement facilities for the future on a village by village basis, rather than on an ad hoc basis."

Councillor Brady has been talking with residents to get a first hand view of the overall situation at the Council's villages.

"We need to discuss options. For example, the people living at Kaumatua enjoy living within easy walking distance of Te Atatu shops, so the location is good but the units are more than a little tired," says Councillor Brady.

Resident Louis Bollond (76) has lived at the Kaumatua Village for 17 years, agrees. A former construction foreman, he says he is happy with the renovations.

So, too, is resident of five years, David Taylor, a singer-conductor who lives in a concrete unit at Kaumatua. "It's really handy. I have everything I need here."

ends

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