The committee behind plans for an affordable senior housing facility in Wānaka says it needs to acquire land to get the project off the ground.

Earlier this year a group of locals teamed up to begin the process of establishing an ‘Abbeyfield’ house in Wānaka.

Abbeyfield is a housing model designed to provide affordable, ‘family style’ rental accommodation for seniors.

There are 14 Abbeyfield houses around New Zealand, run by volunteer trusts where tenants share meals prepared by a housekeeper (who also takes care of grocery shopping and cleaning the communal areas) and rents are capped. 

Other Abbeyfield houses have been made possible through “a variety of land acquisition models”, Abbeyfield Wānaka committee member Lyal Cocks said.

They have included land donations, discounted sales, partnerships with developers, and council land leases, Lyal said.

The committee is hopeful a suitable site will be found soon.

Lyal said Wānaka needs a “long term solution” for senior housing.

Between the high rents, the high cost of living, and shortage of smaller properties, many seniors who do not own property here are struggling to get by - and having to consider leaving the area.

That challenge is what inspired a group of locals to begin the process to establish a local Abbeyfield house.

Lyal said once land is secured, it could take as little as 18 months to construct the building.

From that point fundraising for the $4.5M fit-out cost will accelerate, Abbeyfield Wānaka head of fundraising Stephanie Fieldsend said. 

“We are relying on the support of the entire community to make this happen,” Stephanie said. 

“It’s not just about providing housing; it’s about recognising the value of our senior residents and ensuring they can continue to live in Wānaka and be part of the community’s future.”

PHOTO: Supplied