Public feedback sought on changes to state housing for elderly

Auckland Council has approved a partnership with third parties to oversee elderly state housing, despite objections from one council member.

Councillors at the monthly governing body meeting yesterday approved the partnership proposal with independent social housing organisations to establish a new Community Housing Provider (CHP).

The government-funded entity will oversee the existing 1412 units for older people in the city, and undertake the refurbishment of them.

The majority of those at the meeting supported the proposal, and said the partnership would provide better homes for the elderly.

“The whole issue here is that partnership. I think that makes a huge difference and we are really going to lift the level of people’s quality of life,” said Councillor Linda Cooper.

However, Councillor Mike Lee raised issues over privatisation of the housing with a backhanded comment about Minister of Finance, Bill English.

“I am concerned that in some ways we are following Mr English’s example and in essence this is the first step to privatisation, which I do not believe is a good thing,” said Mr Lee.

Councillor Cooper dismissed Councillor Lee’s concerns, saying total privatisation was not viable.

“This can’t be privatised because the only way it can work is if it is in partnership with community housing providers, that’s where we get the government funding.”

The proposal will now continue into the public consultation phase, something Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse said is extremely important.

“We need to own that responsibility and front up to our older adult tenants,” she said. “It’s really important that they get the chance to say what they want to say to us, be it good or bad.”

Mayor Len Brown moved the proposal with the votes of all members, except for Mr Lee who voted against.

Public consultation will open from June 1 to July 1, and the results will be made public in September.

Listen to what was said in the meeting here