Love Where You Live - February 1st to 29th š„°
Love is in the air this month! Weāre not just talking about Valentineās Day... weāre talking about this monthās national campaign.
Our theme for February is all about finding ways to show your home and community a little extra love and care. Whether itās organising a street clean up, helping a neighbour tidy up their property, putting together a working bee, or installing a communal pÄtaka or library - there are countless ways to make our neighbourhoods more enjoyable for everyone.
Donāt forget to share the love! Let us know how youāre improving your neighbourhood this month by email or tag us online and include the following hashtag:
#NSNZlovewhereyoulive
Rehomeing My Cat
I need to rehome my old cat as I am moving overseas, and just canāt put her down. Can anybody help me out please
Poll: Does the building consent process need to change?
We definitely need homes that are fit to live in but there are often frustrations when it comes to getting consent to modify your own home.
Do you think changes need made to the current process for building consent? Share your thoughts below.
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the Conversations column of your local paper.
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91.4% Yes
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8.1% No
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0.5% Other - I'll share below!
HOUSING AND COUNCILS 10 YEAR PLAN
Housing and the Councilās Ten Year Planā¦
Actually, housing gets barely a mention in the Councilās Ten Year Plan.
And that is a significant problem because we all, except it seems the Council, are aware of the effects of the ābaby boomerā generation is happening now!
We have a rapid increase in the number of older adults over the age of 65 and a dramatic increase in adults over the age of 85 years.
Ā
Age Sector NZ has stated that 61,121 retirement units will be needed within the next ten years.
StatisticsĀ NZĀ estimates by 2040 approximately 600,000 65+ will beĀ renting, so many of them will be living alone.
More older adults will experienceĀ housing insecurityĀ in the coming years unless the country dramatically increases its supply ofĀ affordable homesĀ for people ages 65 and up, who make up roughly one-fifth of the nation.
Ā
The Council currently operate 145 housing units for the elderly in a self-funded model. This approach is not keeping up with the need to upgrade and expand the housing stock. We are proposing to create a working capital fund of approximately $4m at a cost of $200,000 per
annum to provide for:
ā¢ Improvement and expansion of the housing for elderly service noting that this is contrary to
the current self-funding position of the Housing for the Elderly Policy.
ā¢ Expanding Councilās role in the provision of housing beyond housing for the elderly.
Given the crisis facing housing for older people this demonstrates a clear lack of interest, let alone commitment to the growing plight of so many of our older citizens.
An increasing share of people withĀ low and fixed incomesĀ will struggle to afford appropriate housing in the coming decade and we just don't have the housing and supports that we need for this growing population.
Our Council seems to continually dodge this issue - but it is growing larger day by day.
What can you do?
Contact your Council and tell them your concerns re housing for older adults.
Ā
Ā If you can ā urgently contact the Council by emailing a submission detailing your concerns to submissions@npdc.govt.nz or going online to: npdc.govt.nz/10-year-plan
Affordable housing for vulnerable older adults in our community is a āmustā not a ānice to haveā
Gordon Hudson, Communicationsā¦ 021 133 7244, gordonandjanr@xtra.co.nz
Positive Ageing NP