Seventy unprofitable pensioner housing units throughout the western Bay of Plenty are likely to be sold at the end of the month to a community charitable trust.
Western Bay of Plenty District Council confirmed today it was planning to sell its units in Te Puke, Katikati and Waihi Beach to an unnamed trust.
However, the council is trying to combat any fears of rental rises with a formal agreement with the new owners that they not charge new residents any more than 25 per cent of their weekly pension. Under the deal, existing residents will continue to pay 23 per cent of their pension in rental charges.
The council owns 34 units in Te Puke, 19 in Waihi Beach and 17 in Katikati.
The idea of selling the pensioner houses was first signalled in the council's 1998 strategic plan.
Western Bay Mayor Graeme Weld said other organisations in the community were in a better position than the council to manage pensioner housing assets and meet the needs of long-term tenants.
The public has until June 20 to make submissions on the council's decision before the formal resolution is voted on three days later.
- BAY OF PLENTY TIMES
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