PERHAPS WE WERE A BIT HARSH

You may recall the article in the July edition of the Grey Power pages entitled “Does Compassion Housing Lack Compassion?”.

In reading the article, assumptions were made that we were critical of the Sisters of Compassion who live and work here in Levin and who provide support systems for those of our elderly who live in what were the Horowhenua District Council pensioner flats.

Those assumptions resulted in questions being put to Horowhenua Grey Power about the role of the Sisters of Compassion and the work that they do. Our article did not spell out the difference between the Sisters of Compassion, who really do great work and the commercial arm of Compassion Housing Ltd, also known as Compassion Housing Levin, who are the part owners of the dwelling units. For that we, of course, apologise.

At the time of the sale of the pensioner flats, which comprised 115 units, it was stated that the housing portfolio was to be managed by Compassion Housing Ltd. One of Willis Bond’s Directors, David McGuiness, was also listed as a director of both Compassion Housing Limited and a new ownership entity Compassion Horowhenua. It was anticipated at the time that 50% of the value of the pensioner housing portfolio would be transferred to Compassion Housing.

Trying to further establish just who owns what has been challenging. We understand though that Compassion Housing, being a limited liability company, or any other commercial structure owns at least 50% of what were the 115 pensioner units.

What we also know is that, currently, Grey Power Federation is asking local authorities around New Zealand to not sell off pensioner dwelling units. Instead, and here Palmerston North City Council take a bow, new dwelling units for the seniors in our community are being built.

Recent surveys by the Retirement Commissioner’s office have shown that 40% of our superannuitants are now living beyond their means. They are having to go into debt to just simply get by. We need to have guaranteed housing for seniors, not in ‘social housing’, but in pensioner housing stock.

In conclusion, please “cut the Sisters of Compassion a bit of slack”. They are providing support for those who live in the Compassion Housing Levin dwelling units. They deserve our praise.