New Scheme For Housing The Aged

Press, Volume C, Issue 29570, 20 July 1961, Page 15

New Scheme For Housing The Aged

A new scheme for housing aged persons which has been used successfully in Launceston, Tasmania, will be introduced by the Christchurch City Council. The scheme, which was brought to the council’s notice by Cr. J. R. Smith, caters for elderly persons not eligible for pensioners’ cottages and allows them to buy a cottage for life tenancy, after which it reverts to the council.

The Cosgrove Park Hospital in Launceston had provided in its grounds accommodation for elderly married couples or single men and women, the housing committee said in its report to the council last evening. The units were similar to the accommodation provided by the council in Christchurch for pensioners except that a small laundry was incorporated in each unit of two. A nursing sister toured the cottages each day, and if necessary a cleaner was provided once a week. The occupiers could, if they wished, have their meals at the hospital for a small charge. To obtain a cottage a person had to pay £2OOO to the board. The occupiers, whether a married couple or a single person, then lived rent free in the unit, either until their death or until they were unable to look after themselves, when they could be moved into the hospital. In either case the cottage became the property of the hospital board and was resold under the original conditions. Walting List

Cr. Smith discussed the project with Mr Bruce Griffiths, secretary of the board, and was assured that financially and in all other ways it had proved highly successful. When Cr. Smith was there there was a waiting list for the cottages and the board was building more.

“Although it would not be possible for the council to adopt a similar system in its entirety, the committee is of the opinion that a trial in a small way could be undertaken,” the committee said. “The main benefit in this method of housing is that provision could be made for accommodating elderly persons who at present are not eligible for pensioners’ cottages. There are many old people in the city who own property comprising large houses and extensive grounds which they are unable to look after, but who would be able to pay approximately £l6OO (the cost of a pensioner’s unit) for modern, comfortable quarters in company with other aged persons. “By virtue of the tact that occupiers pay the full cost of the cottage, neither loan money nor Government subsidy would be required.” In his report to the committee, Cr. Smith said there was a duty to the old people of the country, and the

scheme was « way in which they could be assisted in the last few years of their lives. The council agreed to the proposal in principle, and to implement it by the erection of six units as a trial on property already owned by the council or on land to be acquired. As well as those who owned homes which had got too big for them to manage, there were some who lived in houses in the demolition class, said Cr. Smith. With the money they received for the sale of their property for demolition and savings they could probably be housed happily. “I have seen the scheme working." said Cr. Smith. 'The people are brought together in a good environment which leads to contentment.” Cr. R M. Macfarlane, MP., said he approved the idea, but hoped the council would not overlook its duty to those who could not afford to buy their own accommodation but needed pensioners' cottages. There would need to be some provision covering an occupant who died only a year or two after paying for the cottage, said Cr. H. P. Smith. It could be that if there was a surplus, worked out on an economic basis the money could be devoted to building pensioners’ cottages. Details of the scheme would be reported back to the council, said Cr M. R. Carter, chairman of the committee. The scheme could well be handled by private enterprise, but if there was a profit to be made then the profit should be handled by a local body and put back into pensioners’ housing. If it did nothing else than release some of the homes now occupied by one person for families then it would be well worth while.