Housing for the Older Person - Council Policy

Sponsor:	Deputy Chief Executive
Date Approved:	9 April 1980
Date Reviewed:	2 July 2008
File Reference:	24/2/2
Community Outcome:	5.0 Healthy and Happy 5.4 - Provides access for all people to a range of healthy, affordable, quality housing.

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Objective

To provide healthy, affordable, quality housing for older persons and to proactively manage the Housing Services portfolio to maintain the current assets.

Policy

1.         Hamilton City Council recognises the needs of those applicants 60+ who have limited assets and income.  A successful applicant for Council Housing needs to meet the following criteria:

 

·         Be a New Zealand Citizen or hold New Zealand Permanent Residency

·         Be 60 years of age or older (in the case of a couple both must qualify)

·         The bulk of an applicant’s income to be from a permanent New Zealand /Overseas benefit

·         Be retired from full time work (in the case of a couple both must qualify)

·         Have assets of less than $25,000 for a single applicant and $45,000 for a couple (not including personal items such as a vehicle or furniture) but including the value of any major asset sold with 5 years of applying 

·         Have an annual income of less than $25,000 for a single applicant and $45,000 for a couple, this includes all wages /salary and all income derived from a family trust, a NZ or overseas benefit or a private superannuation scheme  

·         Be in need of long-term accommodation

·         Demonstrate the ability to live independently

·         Provide evidence of a good tenant history and/or credit rating.

 

The policy will be adjusted annually automatically to reflect any percentage increases in superannuation

  

            When allocating accommodation consideration will be given to prioritising applicants who:

 

·         Have been living within the Hamilton City area for a period of 5 years or

·         Have family living within the Hamilton City area that can support their tenancy or

·         Have a good tenancy history with another Local Authority.

 

Hamilton City Council reserves the right to decline any application that does not meet the criteria.

 

3.        The housing stock will be maintained to a decent standard and at a level to address the future needs of the housing target market within Hamilton City.

 

4.         Rentals will be set at an affordable and self sustaining level with rent reviews 3 yearly in line with the LTCCP process and based on a 100% cost recovery basis, adjusted for inflation.

 

5.        The provision of housing to older persons will be in accordance with all relevant legislation and council policy. 

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Previous Review Dates

13 May 2005
25 September 2002
10 March 2008