| 21 T T Karen Phelps Further housing options for elderly The development will take the form of a village-style complex arranged in four blocks. The site selection followed a comprehensive assessment of multiple locations across the district Waimakariri District Council: Kaiapoi Elderly Housing REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Waimakariri District Council is expanding its 112-unit elderly housing portfolio with 20 new affordable one-bedroom homes now under development on the northern section of vacant land at 28 Courtenay Drive, Kaiapoi. Kim Booker, Waimakariri District Council project manager, says the project represents a significant investment in supporting the district’s ageing population and is consistent with its Housing Policy consulted on and adopted in 2023. “Our goal is to provide safe, comfortable and supportive housing for elderly people, enhancing their quality of life while respecting the character of the neighbourhood,” says Kim. “Our community is getting older and there are limited housing options for elderly people on low incomes so these homes will really bolster supply.” The development will take the form of a village-style complex arranged in four blocks. The site selection followed a comprehensive assessment of multiple locations across the district. Kim says the chosen location presented unique challenges because the land, redzoned following the earthquake, had been deemed uneconomical to remediate on a section-by-section basis. However, clever construction methods have made development possible on this site. Each home is 52sqm and the development will use a lightweight foundation system suited for the land conditions, making it possible to build small buildings on the site. This will transform an unused parcel of land into a valuable asset for the community.” The development incorporates large decks at the front and rear of each unit to enable good indoor/outdoor flow with accessibility features including shared ramps to ensure residents can navigate their homes safely and independently. A shared energy system is part of the development ensuring each block is provided hot water and heating to 18 degrees, which is included as part of the rent. “ This means residents will have a warm home and a good supply of hot water without any fear of their power bills getting out of hand. The heating system will also provide cooling to 23 degrees in the summer months.” The project has been funded from multiple sources including Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga — Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and Rata Foundation — with additional costs being met from the Council’s elderly housing reserve, generated through the sale of some community houses and debt serviced by rental income. The rental structure ensures affordability with rent set at 80 per cent of market value. Kim says this rent ensures the service will cover the long-term cost of developing, owning and operating the service over its full lifetime. Council’s General Manager of Community and Recreation, Chris Brown, says the project aims to create not just housing, but a supportive living environment that enables elderly residents to maintain their independence while being part of a close-knit community. “We believe the homes will contribute positively to the neighbourhood by fostering a sense of community,” says Chris. “The homes have been designed to blend harmoniously with existing surrounding properties, ensuring the development enhances rather than detracts from the local area.” With the project now underway, the Courtenay Drive development signals the Council’s proactive approach to addressing housing challenges facing its elderly population. The project demonstrates how local government can leverage available land and funding sources to deliver much-needed affordable housing solutions tailored to specific community needs. The homes are expected to be ready for occupation in early 2026. Building Construction Civil Construction Planning & Consenting Development Management Delivering development excellence. Proudly working with Waimakariri District Council www.devcorp.co.nz
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