A $7.5 million project to build 25 new pensioner flats in Masterton has found favour with residents at the council-owned Panama Village.
The district council is aiming to add 25 new flats to the Panama Village for seniors, in Masterton. Photo: Dave Lintott Photography / Supplied / Masterton District Council
The site, northwest of the town centre, will use land bequeathed to Masterton District Council (MDC) to extend the range of the senior housing complex.
MDC's long-term plan, published this week, offered ratepayers two options for the build, close to the town's busy Ngaumutawa Rd.
The council currently owned and managed 78 senior housing units in four locations across the district.
The authority's preferred option was to build the 25 units, 15 one-bedroom units, and 10 two-bedroom units on vacant land near Panama Village.
It would then partner with a community housing provider to manage the housing so tenants could access the government subsidised rent, making it affordable housing.
The council estimated a $7.5 million price, including water and wastewater pipes, roading and paving, stormwater, power, and landscaping.
MDC would fund the project's capital costs through borrowing, costing district ratepayers $143,000 per year, or about $11 per average residential property per year, from 2023.
The alternative suggestion offered the land for someone else to build more public housing. MDC would "investigate a means of making the vacant land at Panama Village available for other providers to fund and build more public housing".
The council estimates a $7.5m price for the project, including water and wastewater pipes, roading and paving, stormwater, power, and landscaping. Photo: Dave Lintott Photography / Supplied / Masterton District Council
The council's draft plan stated, "a strong community looks after its most vulnerable members, and we want to develop more affordable homes for senior members of our community who are struggling to access appropriate housing".
It stated better housing opportunities for all residents was a priority in the council's wellbeing strategy.
"The government's recent decision on locations for greater public housing investment did not include Masterton, but at a local level, we recognise the urgent need for more housing in our district."
Last month, central government announced plans to build 8000 new public houses by 2024. None of these would be in Wairarapa's three districts.
Current residents were enthusiastic about keeping the authority as landlord for an expanded site after its long-term plan revealed more housing for seniors.
Nearby neighbours Pat and Lorna were long-term Panama Village tenants.
Lorna, 73, had been in the flats for 11 years. She said the council had been a "wonderful" landlord.
Pat and Lorna, long-term Panama Village tenants, are looking forward to plans for new pensioner flats. Photo: LDR / Wairarapa Times Age / Marcus Anselm
"One thing I've found that's been excellent with the council. If you have a problem, something goes wrong with your stove or plumbing or something they are right onto it. They get it fixed much more quickly than some other organisations do.
"They really don't leave you waiting forever and ever and that's something I really appreciate about the council here."
Pat, 93, had lived in the village for 12 years. She said social housing might mitigate the worst ravages of the housing crisis.
"It is desperate at the moment but I do have other thoughts on that. I think, you know, when I was young, you didn't leave until you got married. You stayed in the family home.
"Today, kids leave home at 15,16. And they want their own little flat. And that's where half of them are going. Yeah. So it has built, it is a bridge to crisis point.
"But we can only build as fast as we can build.
"[People are] blaming the government for the lack of housing, but they can't physically get out and build them. And, of course, materials are scarce."
MDC's long-term plan public consultation opens on 1 April and runs until 3 May.
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