The Central Otago District Council voted this week to gift a small pocket of land to a not-for-profit hoping to provide the elderly with affordable rentals that allow them to live independently and maintain a sense of companionship.
The Abbeyfield Alexandra organisation had identified a potential location for their house in Clutha St, allowing for the construction of 11 independent living units.
The 600sqm of land had no use to the council but would allow the organisation to build 14 units, instead of the 11 units without the council land.
Abbeyfield Alexandra chairwoman Carole Gillions told the council
affordability and appropriateness of housing for elderly people in Central Otago was an issue.
Loneliness and isolation were also issues badly affecting the health of the elderly, she said.
Vincent Community Board chairman Jayden Cromb said
while the land was not worth much to council, it could be worth something to the Abbeyfield project.
Ms Gillions said the Abbeyfield concept of combining independent living with communal eating and living spaces had been happening around the world for many years.
The units would be available to rent at an affordable price and services such as power and internet would be included with rent.
Also included in the rent was a housekeeper who would provide residents with two meals a day, ensuring their nutritional needs would be met but also allowing them to socialise in the common dining area.
‘‘It enables people to live with dignity as they age and also provides all of that security and nutrition and companionship and ability to stay in an area that they’ve helped be part of building and stay within their community.’’
The organisation needed to raise between $4 million-$5 million and create a sale and purchase agreement for the privately owned land where the majority of the house would be built on, she said.
