Stewart Island Seniors Cottage Trust Seeks Million Dollars for Accessible Housing

Stewart Island seniors are struggling to find suitable housing as they age, forcing many to leave their island home for mainland care facilities.

Bruce Ford, a 60-year resident and head of the Stewart Island Seniors Cottage Trust, says there's a critical need for affordable, accessible housing for elderly islanders.

"If there's only one person in the house on a pension, you're on about $28,000. By the time you take off $8000 of rates and insurance and perhaps another $4000 for electricity, you've still got to get some food and you've still got to do some maintenance on the property and it just doesn't fit very well," Ford said.

The trust is trying to raise an additional $1 million to build small, warm homes for seniors in Oban. It has already raised $750,000, purchased land and drawn up plans for six to eight one-bedroom duplex units.

Ford says some islanders are taking desperate measures. "We've got one chap here that lives on a boat because he doesn't want to pay the insurance and the rates. And everyday you've got to get in your dinghy and paddle ashore. If you're in your 70s that's a bit of a handful."

Many seniors end up in mainland care facilities after medical emergencies. "People get medevac'd - perhaps they'll have some ailment - so they get medevac'd and of course the chances are that they don't get back because they can't look after themselves quite well enough," Ford said.

The isolation is difficult for proud islanders. "There was one lady we went to see one day, a lovely old lady, and she said 'oh, I wish I was home with my own place and cat and garden'... She said 'I don't like it here'."

Southland mayor Rob Scott supports the initiative. "I take my hat off to them. They've certainly rolled their sleeves up and they've done a heap of really good work and they've managed to attract some really good funding to date," he said.

Age Concern chief executive Karen Billings-Jensen says the problem extends beyond Stewart Island, with many older New Zealanders facing similar housing challenges.

Ford remains optimistic despite government funding challenges. "Nothing's impossible and we're having a damn good try."