An innovative project in Oamaru, which may be unique in New
Zealand, ensures elderly tenants in community housing units
owned and operated by the Waitaki District Council are kept
safe.
The council has had a contract since 2009 with Age Concern
Waitaki for its welfare officer, Aileen Wilson, to visit each
tenant in the 66 units every three months. That is backed up
by council maintenance staff, who carry out work on the
units, and a contractor who services heat pumps every three
months.
The issue of safety of tenants in council-owned complexes
arose earlier this month when an 88-year-old man's body was
found in a Wellington City Council unit after he had died
more than a year ago.
Waitaki property officer Margaret Hamilton said yesterday the
council had had provisions in place since 2009 to ensure
tenants in its housing units were safe, using the services of
Age Concern. The contract is automatically rolled over each
year, ensuring visits to every tenant on a three-month
rotational basis.
Age Concern Waitaki president Heather McElroy said the
welfare officer ensured the tenants' good health and
wellbeing, as well as providing advice and assistance where
needed, including dealing with issues that may arise such as
benefit entitlements.
The contract had been beneficial for Age Concern, generating
more members through friends of tenants who heard about the
services offered by the organisation.
Mrs Hamilton said that in addition to the Age Concern welfare
officer, the council also kept in contact through staff who
carried out work on the units and a contractor who every
three months cleaned the filters on heat pumps.
In 2009, the council fully insulated all the units and
installed heat pumps. The total cost of the project was
$350,000, but the council's share was $60,000 after subsidies
and bulk purchase from suppliers.
As units became vacant, the council also renovated them.
Mrs Hamilton said that prior to the Age Concern contract, the
council had "tried to keep an eye" on tenants, but regular
visits had improved welfare.
She believed the contract might be the only one of its kind
in New Zealand and Mrs McElroy said when the national
president and chief executive of Age Concern visited Oamaru,
they were very impressed with the arrangement.
david.bruce@odt.co.nz
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