New senior housing will be built in Hastings for the first time in about 40 years, with a Resource Consent application lodged for 39 new, affordable one and two-bedroom senior housing units last week. 

The development is a partnership between the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Hastings District Council, funded through the contestable Affordable Housing Fund. 

It aligns with Council’s medium and long-term housing strategy, providing affordable rental homes for seniors struggling in the private rental market. 

“This development is a huge milestone for our community,” said Hastings mayor Sandra Hazlehurst. 

“Providing affordable, high-quality homes for our seniors is a priority, and this project will make a significant difference in the lives of those who need it most.” 

The units will be built on Council-owned land in the southwest corner of Flaxmere town centre, bounded by Caernarvon Drive, Swansea Road, and the newly constructed Pam O’Keefe Avenue, and Te Ara Huata. 

The new streets are named after local heroes Pam O’Keefe, known as the ‘Mother of Flaxmere,’ and Tama Huata, a champion of Māori arts and culture. 

Subject to attaining Resource Consent, the development will consist of 12 blocks, each containing two to four units with the homes designed to create a modern aesthetic and layout. The plan includes a shared public space. 

As with Council’s current housing, rents will be set at a percentage of equivalent market rent. In the case of the new homes, that will be 80 per cent of median market rent, meeting the threshold for ‘affordable housing’ set by HUD. The rent for Council’s existing homes is set at 65 per cent of market rent.