Units for elderly in capable hands

An independent review has portrayed Wanganui's 275 pensioner units in a good light. PHOTO/FILE

A new manager and a complimentary independent review have shone a positive light on the Wanganui District Council's pensioner houses.

The council has 275 pensioner units in 16 separate complexes around the city.

It commissioned an audit of the units recently and that had been completed by Professor Terry Cunliffe, a consultant ergonomist and occupational health and safety specialist.

Mr Cunliffe said he was "very pleased" with the facilities.

Councillor Sue Westwood said council could take some heart from Mr Cunliffe's report.

"Of course, there's always room to upgrade the facilities but there are some very positive things happening here," Mrs Westwood said.

And council's new pensioner housing manager has also come in for some plaudits.

Rowan McGregor, council's property manager, at a recent meeting of the city's Positive Ageing Forum, praised the work of new manager Carly Barton.

Alistair Fraser, manager of Wanganui Neighbourhood Support, said Ms Barton "clearly demonstrated positive enthusiasm for her role" and actively looked after the interests of the tenants.

As well as its 275 units, council also owns 22 relocatable granny flats. It also provides limited welfare assistance to the tenants.

Of those units, there are 234 single ones which include three for disabled tenants, along with 41 double pensioner units. Fifteen units have carports and about half of all units have off-street parking. The occupancy rate for those pensioner units is around 92 per cent.

The units and flats are available to those who can demonstrate limited financial resources, are over 55-years-old and can live independently.

A single unit is rented out for $99 a week and double units for $124 weekly. The rentals are set to cover costs and are about 27 per cent of the Government benefit for the elderly.