Housing Challenge for Older Kiwis

As the Hon Phil Twyford, Minister of Housing and Urban Development said “The stocktake highlights the increasing number of elderly facing housing-related poverty because fewer and fewer are mortgage free and able to survive on Superannuation alone”.

Age Concern New Zealand’s believes all kiwis deserve the right to warm, dry, healthy and affordable homes.

Stephanie Clare, Chief Executive Age Concern New Zealand, says “We want to work together with the Minister make sure those people who are unable to retire with a debt free home have options for accommodation security.

The three areas we think need to be addressed are:
• Increase and review of the Accommodation Supplement as more older people are needing both NZ Super and an Accommodation Supplement.
• The rights of the older tenants.
• Increase the stock of housing for older people, including developing housing alternatives.
“We would welcome an invitation to work together to address the housing shortage for older people and to support more vulnerable older New Zealanders into much needed rental accommodation and social housing.”

By 2036 it is anticipated that one in four people will be 65 years of age or older. By investing now in solutions that support the transition to an ageing society, New Zealand’s future social and economic prosperity will be protected so we can all flourish.

Astute investment made now can change the course of ageing in New Zealand for the better – not only for our older population but also for our wider society.