Buller District Council reviews its approach to provision of senior housing

Buller District Council plans to evaluate how its senior housing portfolio is managed in the future, with a report due to be presented at the July 30 council meeting.

Senior housing will be staying within council control; however, two key points will be discussed: the first being the way property management is overseen; and the second being the how the rent is structured.

In terms of property management, the options to be considered are whether property management for council’s senior housing continues to be provided by council staff (status quo) or is transferred to a property management company under a new arrangement.

Council’s senior housing rents are currently below market rates; the loss being subsidised by ratepayers. Councillors will consider whether to retain this current model or increase the charges to be in line with market rents.

Moving away for the ratepayer-subsidised model would mean that tenants may then be eligible to apply for the Ministry of Social Development’s Accommodation Supplement, which council staff would be able to support tenants to apply for.

Group Manager Community Services Krissy Trigg says: “We’d like to assure our senior housing tenants that this review process is in its early stages, and staff will be in contact with them after the council meeting to discuss the outcomes of both options.

“If council decides to make any changes, these will not come into effect before July 2026. Our current tenants will be kept informed throughout, and council staff will support our seniors if any changes eventuate.

"Council is committed to supporting our tenants through any changes, which may include assistance in applying for the Accommodation Supplement on an individual basis.”

-ENDS-

For further information please contact:
Community Engagement Team
Buller District Council
Media.Enquiries@bdc.govt.nz 

Disclaimer
The information in this media release was correct at time of publication. Changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of the information.