Volunteers raising funds to build an Abbeyfield House in Napier for seniors have been left gutted after the Government declined to provide capital funding for the project, according to local reports. Committee members Lucy Miller and Mark Baylis have been working alongside a registered charity committee to establish the shared housing development, which carries an estimated price tag of $3.2 million to $3.5 million, as reported by Local Democracy Reporting journalist Linda Hall.
Project Scope and Living Model for Napier Seniors
Often described as “flatting for seniors,” Abbeyfield houses provide supported living accommodation tailored for individuals aged 65 and over who live exclusively on a pension. According to verified reports, residents occupy a private studio equipped with an ensuite, while their rent covers electricity, water, maintenance, and all main meals prepared by a housekeeper. The initiative requires residents to be fit, independent, and reliant solely on a pension, with the only expectation being that they share lunch and dinner while preparing their own breakfast. Miller noted that communal dining offers substantial health benefits through built-in companionship. Currently, New Zealand features 16 operational Abbeyfield houses, alongside five others in various early stages of planning or development, including the Napier proposal.
Land Negotiations and Council Support
The volunteer committee has been actively negotiating with the Napier City Council to lease land situated on the corner of Spriggs Crescent and Tait Drive in Greenmeadows. A council spokesperson confirmed that discussions have reached the stage of negotiating Agreement to Lease and Deed of Lease terms, while noting that the project will ultimately require grants or funding for completion. Miller expressed deep gratitude to the local authority, describing the location as a perfect site due to the existing pensioner housing already established in the area.
Funding Rejection Amid Housing Shift
The setback follows the Government’s decision in May to scrap the Affordable Housing Fund during Budget 2024 and replace it with a Flexible Housing Fund. Miller explained that the committee had been explicitly invited to apply for funding under the previous scheme, which initially sparked strong optimism among volunteers. Highlighting the broader financial strain facing the aged-care system, Miller argued that the Abbeyfield model successfully delays entry into formal aged care by four to five years, allowing government investments to be recouped quickly. Addressing the funding decision, Napier MP Katie Nimon stated that the Government’s Housing Flexible Fund recently allocated 23 new social and affordable homes to Hastings and 118 to Gisborne-Tairāwhiti, with initial availability slated for July 2027. Nimon emphasized that funding decisions align with the Housing Investment Plan’s assessment of areas experiencing the greatest housing need, noting that the community’s single unsuccessful application must be viewed within the framework of broader regional housing investments.
Upcoming Fundraising Efforts and Community Resilience
Despite the funding hurdle, committee members have made it clear they intend to press forward with the initiative. To maintain momentum, the Abbeyfield committee has scheduled a public fundraising event titled “Afternoon Tea with Abbeyfield Hawke’s Bay” for August 22 at the Greenmeadows East Community Hall, located at 83 Tait Drive, running from 2 pm to 3:30 pm.
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