Not a sod has been turned. Not yet. And not a nail banged home. 

There hasn’t been any marketing. And it might be 18 months before the front doors are finally thrown open.

But already 23 needy people have indicated they want one of the 14 suites at the proposed Abbeyfield - the affordable, not-for-profit supported housing model for older folk with modest or no money or assets - complex in Katikati.

“That tells us people are desperate in Katikati,” says Abbeyfield organising committee chairperson Carole Parker.

“We have met these people, we know there’s a need.”

Like one person, who told the Abbeyfield team they had ‘no security and no warmth’ in the rural property they occupied. “There’s no bedroom, no toilet inside the structure, no shower and no power to the shed.”

There are privacy issues and they didn’t want to be identified. But their situation is desperate.

Thirty-four per cent of Katikati is 65 plus - double the national average. “And about 60 per cent of those people rely on their pension as their sole income.”

Carole says $496 is not a lot and they struggle to afford suitable accommodation – often ending up in rentals that are poor quality and expensive.

Another prospective Abbeyfield resident told the Weekend Sun it’s really difficult finding one bedroom rentals. “It’s as challenging as a single person living on a pension and paying $410 rent, power and water and all the other usual expenses.”

Currently, a one-bedroom rental in Katikati costs $360, a big chunk out of a pension, two bedrooms $470 and three bedrooms $650.

But in a large, leafy, tree lined open space behind a tall iron railing fence in Katikati’s Wills Road, there may be hope. The prime neighbourhood property in Katikati is earmarked for New Zealand’s 15th Abbeyfield House.

“Abbeyfield’s a bit like flatting for older people,” says Carole. Each resident has their own large room, en suite and front door. And they share a lounge, dining room, laundry and gardens with like-minded older folk.

A house-keeper, the only employee in the operation, cooks two hot meals a day and maintains the shared-area.

“It’s not a rest home. It’s where a housekeeper and volunteers ‘look out’ for residents rather than ‘look after’ them.”

The priority is for people with a modest income – perhaps their pension and just thirty or forty thousand dollars in the banks, or equivalent assets.

“Lots of people like that,” says Carole.

“They may have been on low wages all their life, family commitments prevented them from saving, separation, illness that’s drained funds. Through no fault of their own, they have ended up with very little.”

The team behind Abbeyfield House - from left: Elizabeth Rae, Carole Parker, Everdien de Graaf, Melva Howard, Peter Charlton, Natasja de GRaaf and Bill Rae.

Residents don’t have to buy their way into Abbeyfield. “And their cost per week would amount to 80 per cent of their pension - that includes accommodation, food , power, water maintenance. Once they walk through the door it’s all covered. Except for the gin and tonic and chocolate.”

With the income from the residents, the Abbeyfield complex will be self-sustaining – no going back to the public for more funding down the track. It’s a proven model both here and overseas.

And residents stay until they can’t. “The key is to be independent – you can be in a wheelchair or on a zimmer frame. But you need to be able to care for yourself.”  When residents can’t cope there’ll be conversations and there would be a transition to more appropriate care.

The committee driving the Abbeyfield proposal have purchased the land in Wills Road. It has also applied to the Government’s Affordable Housing Fund for a grant of up to $2 million, 50 per cent or more of the total cost, which would leave a relatively small and manageable shortfall.

“We have a robust fundraising and strategic plan and funds in the bank,” says Carole.

And in Abbeyfield’s latest fundraising drive, people are invited to buy a $5000 stake, literally and figuratively. There are 11 stakes painted by well-known local artists. The stakes will carry the donors name and be placed in the Abbeyfield Garden. There’s just 11 stakes and two have already sold. That shortfall will become just so much shorter, the Abbeyfield reality so much closer, and 14 desperate people will have warm, supportive and comfortable home space.

As one resident at an established Abbeyfield explained in a testimonial; “It changed my life. I have found my home.”

Would you like to assist with a life-changing project contact Carole Parker at: abbeyfieldwbop.chair@gmail.com or call: 027 457 9686.