MEDIA RELEASE

For immediate release

— Wellington, Wednesday 10 November, 2010.

New dwellings to meet growing need.

The shortage of affordable housing in Auckland was highlighted when all 29 independent living units about to be opened by The Salvation Army were fully tenanted within days of completion.

Minister of Housing Phil Heatley and Salvation Army Territorial Commander Commissioner Don Bell will officially open 15 Salvation Army units in Mangere and 14 in Glen Eden, designed specifically for older people, on Friday November 12.

The two-bedroom units will provide affordable, high-quality accommodation and are designed to the Lifemark standard, which allows for the changes associated with ageing including reduced physical strength and disability.

Salvation Army spokesman Major Campbell Roberts says demand for such housing will start to mushroom in April next year as the first of the post-war baby boomers start to retire.

“Our research shows that 500 baby boomers a week will be signing up for superannuation for the next 20 years, and many of these people have been in low-income work or on benefits and have been unable to prepare for their retirement,†he says. “This project is a response to help address this need.â€

Salvation Army analysis shows Auckland already has a housing deficit of more than 4100 homes, 1400 of which are in South Auckland.

The units were developed with the assistance of the Housing Foundation of New Zealand and some financial support from Housing New Zealand.

Major Roberts hopes similar projects will be developed in the near future.

In 2005, The Salvation Army commissioned an independent study to look at gaps in the delivery of social services and housing to older, low-income New Zealanders. This project is part of the strategy that resulted from this study.

The official opening of the units at 425 West Coast Road, Glen Eden, will be at 10.45am.

The opening of the units at Roy Douglas Place, Mangere, will be at 1.45pm. Media and members of the public are welcome to attend.

Issued on the Authority of Commissioner Donald Bell (Territorial Commander)
The Salvation Army, New Zealand Fiji & Tonga Territory
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