If you're out and about in Katikati you'll soon see work taking place around the elder housing units on Heron Crescent, says a Western Bay of Plenty District Council spokesperson.

These works are the first step in the process to redevelop the elder housing village which is now over 40-years-old.

"When finished, the project led by Western Bay of Plenty District Council, will see the existing 11 units replaced with a set of new modern units, with final designs to be decided by your elected members," says a council spokesperson.

The project is the second elder housing development in Katikati recently, with tenants moving into the seven new units built at Beach Road earlier this year.

"While final plans for Heron Crescent, including the number of units to be built, are still to be considered and approved by elected members, Council is keen to begin initial earthworks so that we can see elder housing tenants settled in the new units as soon as possible."

Initial site preparation earthworks begin from February 13 and include removing existing units, building a new retaining wall between the site and Diggelmann Park, remedying drainage issues and building preparation.

The majority of funding for the Heron Crescent project comes from $5.34m of the Government's ‘Better Off' funding allocated via the Three Waters Reform Package, approved in late 2022.

Council CEO, John Holyoake says with our rohe becoming more popular and cost of living continuing to rise, there's growing pressure on homeowners and renters to meet rising housing costs. But Council can help, and with Government funding and a rent increase, it comes at no cost to rate payers.

'Affordable housing for older people is a key area of concern in our District - need is increasing, and supply is very limited," says John.

"At the moment Katikati's housing stock of mostly three and four bedroom homes doesn't fit the needs of our older population who typically want to downsize.

'Providing affordable housing especially for older people often means they can stay in their local community, and continue to contribute to the strong social networks and proactive community that makes Katikati so special.”

Latest figures show that 30 per cent of people living in Katikati are over 70 years old, and most of these people are on an annual income of less than $50,000 which is 58 per cent of all households.

"The move to support our elder community by retaining and redeveloping our elder housing was backed by the community - 88 per cent in support - through the Long Term Plan 2021-31," says John.

"We're now acting on this support with an increase to the number of units to occupy the Heron Crescent site."

John says the council is at the start line of this project, "but we have the opportunity to do something incredibly meaningful for our older community".

'We're very excited to be addressing, where we can, some of the housing issues our rohe and people are facing. It's not an overnight solution but it's a start," says John.

'And we want to take the Katikati community on the journey with us, so we'll be sharing the final concepts approved by Council by the end of Autumn.”

About elder housing

Western Bay of Plenty District Council provides housing for those over 65 years and with limited means, at an affordable rate. The council has 70 units - 19 in Waihī Beach, 17 in Katikati and 34 in Te Puke.

There are two elder housing villages in Katikati - Heron Crescent and Tui Place, but both are now over 40 years old (built between 1977 and 1982). A third new village was built by Council in 2022 at Beach Road with seven new units.

The redevelopment project at Heron Place will remain within the existing elder housing village footprint.

About the Better Off funding

The Three Waters Reform ‘Better Off' funding is designed to support wider local wellbeing outcomes, alongside the improvements being made to three waters management and service delivery, which will also contribute to community wellbeing.