Copyright times
An east Auckland organisation dedicated to caring for senior citizens with dignity and respect has celebrated the official opening of its latest local housing development. Dozens of people recently turned out to mark the opening of HBH Group’s 10 new one-bedroom social housing units at Stevenson Village in Botany Road, Howick. Pakuranga MP and Health Minister Simeon Brown had the honour of cutting the ribbon to open the homes. Among those on at the ceremony also were Howick Local Board chair Damian Light, deputy chair Bo Burns, board members Adele White and Bruce Kendall, local kaumatua and iwi representatives, staff from the building company that developed the homes, and Stevenson Village residents. HBH chairman and director Charles Miller said the organisation was founded in 1977 by members of the Baptist Church of Howick. “They saw the need for care for older people in our community who had few choices. “Over the years we have grown into a trusted provider of residential aged care, housing, and support for kaumatua across east Auckland. “Across all our facilities we now care for more than 300 [people]. We are a charity and dedicated to Christ. We are committed to people, not profit. “Our work rests on four pillars. Care, homes, community and advocacy. We care for older people with dignity and respect. “We provide homes that are safe and affordable, and we build communities where people are connected, not isolated. We advocate for those who may not have their own voice heard.” Miller said the need for HBH Group’s service is “huge and growing”, with more than 220,000 Aucklanders, or about 13 per cent of the city’s population, aged over 65. “That number is rising rapidly. Around one in eight retirees carry a mortgage into retirement. “Many more struggle with high rent and insecure housing. For these members of our community there is a very real and present need.” Miller thanked the HBH board and staff, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Whatu Ora Health New Zealand, Health Minister Simeon Brown, Tainui and Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, for their help in the creation of the new social housing units. He also thanked Smart Solution Homes, project consultants TSA Riley, quantity surveyors White Associates, and the village’s residents. Brown said the demand for secure and affordable housing for seniors is increasing and the 10 new units at Stevenson Village are a “meaningful response, offering not a roof but dignity, independence, and safety, and are places that can truly be called ‘home’.” “I want to thank and acknowledge everyone who has been part of the construction and design but also acknowledge the investment and partnership you have with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development. “Our Government is very focused on supporting community housing providers to make sure they are well supported to be able to grow the amount of housing capacity because not only do they provide the homes but they provide the care and support that goes around those homes.”
