Grants no guarantee for oldies’ good life

RETIREMENT estates and villages may be a growing trend in South Africa’s property landscape, but Anthea Houston, CEO for Communicare NPC, a social enterprise that provides rental housing in Cape Town, says there is concern about pensioners who rely on the government’s old age grants.

“When the national budget was tabled in parliament this year, the Finance Ministry said more than 3.4 million people across the country received this grant. Sadly, at just R1 600 per month, the grant is insufficient to live off or to cover basic expenses like food, accommodation and transport.”

Houston says there is a common perception the state provides housing for such people, but since the late 1980s state-funded housing for the aged has “dwindled” and reliance is now placed on the family and the community to provide for the housing needs of less fortunate older people.

Although some religious organisations and a few independent non-profit organisations provide housing for people living on state pensions, these efforts “only scratch the surface” in responding to the 3.4 million people who may be in need.

“The housing needs of an older person are also peculiar. More than just a roof over their heads, they need a physical layout that reduces the risk of falls,” says Houston.

“Older tenants also need regular assessment for signs of dementia and other illness to ensure they are still able to live independently.”

Most social landlords cannot provide such independent living housing opportunities at a cost below R1 600, Houston explains, and pensioners are forced to find creative solutions, like group housing.

“Later, if their health fails, the older person needs varying levels of care and the cost of basic nursing or frail care can quickly rise to between R5 000 and R20 000 a month, depending on the patient.

“Spare a thought for those who depend on the government old age grant. Please consider how you could help these people through the efforts of your place of worship or through your business’s social investment programmes,” says Houston.