Well-Housed Coromandel
In January 2008, CILT purchased the seven Kapanga Road pensioner bedsit flats from Thames Coromandel District Council, through the use of the Housing Innovation Fund from Housing New Zealand Corporation.
CILT retro-fitted them in 2010, which consisted of: all windows being replaced by double-glazed joinery, blown-in wool insulation in the ceilings, new curtains, electrical overhaul and exterior re-paint. Work was done to upgrade the plumbing and maintenance throughout 2011 and 2012 and continues as required. The Work Co-Op group mow the lawns at the flats and generally help with tidying up.
Having identified a need for more pensioner housing, concept plans for new flats at the rear of the property were drawn up and submitted for resource consent. After lengthy submissions and appeals, CILT was successful in gaining consent. The plans were also submitted to the Lifetime Design Foundation for assessment to achieve the Lifemark standard. The seven new purpose built flats were completed in 2012 and are fully tenanted.
We continue to identify a need in the wider Coromandel community for quality, affordable housing, not only for older people but also those with disabilities and on low incomes.
The basic criteria for eligibility for a pensioner flat is: need, over sixty years of age, assets less than $15,000 single/$20,000 couple, NZ residency and ability to live without supported care. If you would like to apply, you can download an application form here. If you register your housing needs with Work and Income by calling 0800 559 009, you may be eligible for the Income Rent Related Subsidy which will could reduce the amount of rent you need to pay. We are encouraging all potential tenants to contact Work and Income and see if they are able to get this helpful subsidy.
If you think we can help you with any housing issues that you may have, please contact us on 07 866 8358.
None of this could have been achieved without the support of:
- Housing New Zealand Corporation
- New Zealand Housing Foundation
- Social Services Waikato
- Community Housing Aotearoa
- Coromandel Senior Settlement Trust
- Thames Coromandel District Council