Offering total support to older people is one of our greatest strengths.
The Selwyn Foundation currently has 31 cottages in Selwyn Village and Hansen Close and 11 suites within its Selwyn House community living residence in Birkenhead, Auckland that are let at subsidised rental rates. The charitable rate equates to between 30%-35% of Superannuation.
The Foundation’s housing for older people joint venture with Auckland Council – community housing provider Haumaru Housing – provides holistic tenancy and asset management services for the council’s portfolio of 1,475 rental units for older people across 62 villages in Auckland. Established in late 2016 and commencing services on 1 July 2017, it is New Zealand’s fourth largest provider of social housing and the largest community housing provider that uniquely specialises in providing affordable rental homes for seniors.
Through Haumaru Housing, the Foundation is able to contribute to the future of affordable housing and also provide additional services for the benefit of older people in need. The joint venture partnership is as much about securing the futures of seniors and enhancing their wellbeing, as it is about housing. It unlocks greater potential for Selwyn to help and support a much larger proportion of our older population, and it goes to the heart of the Foundation’s charitable purpose – improving the lives of the more vulnerable, aged members of our society.
Haumaru works to provide safe, thriving and age-friendly communities where houses are homes, streets are communities and tenants are well served and content where they live and with the services they receive. In its 2024 tenant satisfaction survey, it once again received an overwhelming endorsement of its work, with tenants returning a satisfaction rate of 97% with its overall service (tenants’ overall satisfaction has been over 90% for five consecutive years).
To support tenants’ social connectedness, Haumaru funds a busy schedule of weekly outings, shopping trips and day excursions to places of interest, which are delivered under contract by The Selwyn Foundation. This year, the two organisations have also jointly funded a new ‘Connector’ position. Provided by Age Concern Auckland, the Connector role provides tailored assistance and support for Haumaru tenants experiencing multiple disadvantage in accessing services related to health, wellbeing, self-care, housing and community engagement.
With a clear tenant focus, Haumaru Housing looks forward to being able to develop its service provision further, in response to the ever-growing demand for affordable rental options for Auckland’s older citizens, and to offer security, comfort and peace-of-mind to vulnerable seniors in need of a home to call their own.