STATE FLATS FOR PENSIONERS TO BE BUILT IN CITIES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22952, 21 May 1949, Page 3

STATE FLATS FOR PENSIONERS TO BE BUILT IN CITIES

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, May 21. In announcing the commencement in Auckland and Wellington of the construction of blocks of flats for the accommodation of pensioners, _ the Minister of Works. Mr. R. Semple, in a statement yesterday, said these schemes wiil be followed almost immediately by others in all parts of the Dominion.

The fiats would be specially designed for the needs of elderly people. In Auckland the construction of 5G units at Mt. Roskil! already had been commenced.

In Wellington the erection of 22 units at Bell road. Lower Hutt, will be commenced next week. These two blocks should be completed in four to five months.

Plans for a further block of nine units in Ponsonby road. Auckland, on land given to-'the Government by the Auckland City Council had been finalised and construction should be commenced in the next few weeks. Plans are also nearly completed for 40 units in Wellington city and construction will start in the next few weeks.

In Christchurch plans are ready for 40 units to be erected on a site fronting Riccarton road and the commencement on these buildings will be made within the next two weeks. Endeavours are being made to secure a suitable site in Dunedin and in other towns throughout the Dominion.

In selecting sites considerable attention has been given to their acessibility to existing or proposed shopping centres and public transport systems “In the drive to construct State houses for the urgent need of families, the needs of pensioners will in future be given the closest possible attention.” said Mr. Semple. “The Government appreciates the necessity for providing comfortable living quarters at reasonable rents for those in the evening of their days who are not capable of providing their own homes.” The schemes, stated the Minister, comprise blocks of four and two units cited so as to obtain the benefit of the maximum sunshine. There would be one laundrv to four units and each consisting of living room, kitchep, bedroom. bathroom and open porch and toolshed.

The buildings would be erected to the same high standard as State houses and there would be garden facilities for each tenant.