New Initiative set to Reduce Cost of Building Consents

Kiwis who build homes with an ageing, less-mobile population in mind will be rewarded with a local government initiative that reduces costs and streamlines the consent process.

New Zealand’s housing stock is largely poorly equipped to deal with its already ageing population. And the issue is set to intensify as one-in-five people will be aged over 65 by 2030 - with over 50 per cent of them suffering from some form of disability.

Lifemark - a charity established by CCS Disability Action - has been campaigning for new Kiwi homes to be built with features that better cater for the elderly and disabled as well as being suitable for the whole family.

In a flagship move, Thames-Coromandel District Council has recognised Lifemark’s certification scheme and amended planning regulations to allow larger dwellings that occupy a greater percentage of a section to be built if the design incorporates the Lifemark standards.

Lifemark general manager Geoff Penrose says while building to Lifemark™ specifications costs slightly more, the property is designed for a wider population, regardless of age or ability.

He says under proposed changes to Thames-Coromandel’s district plan, a minor unit attached to an existing dwelling designed to Lifemark standards will not require resource consent, saving $1400 in fees as well as the cost of preparing the resource consent application.

Penrose says government bodies and the commercial sector are now endorsing and adopting design principles that include better access, wider doorways, increased spaces, reachable power points and easy to use taps, window latches and light switches.

Penrose says there is market demand for adaptable living.

Penrose says around 800,000 Kiwis will need to move into aged care facilities or live in appropriately designed homes in the next 10 years. Currently 14% of the population are aged 65+ but that number will increase to 22 per cent by 2032 and 32 per cent by 2063.

According to a 2016 Statistics New Zealand report, more than 10 per cent of people born today can expect to reach three figures, while those who reach the age of 65 can expect to live into their late 80s.
He says sadly, many will find themselves in a living environment not designed to cater for them, resulting in a lower quality of living and, in some cases, household injuries.

Auckland real estate agent Paul Neshausen welcomes the incentive to build more accessible homes for New Zealand’s ageing population.

He acknowledges there is a very real shortage of homes designed with the elderly and mobility restricted consumer in mind.

“I currently know of three couples with mobility issues including one where one of the duo has MS and consequently requires a home that meets their needs. One of the couples has been searching for the past two years for a home that either has a lift installed or is a single level home. They are no longer able to negotiate stairs, steep driveways or homes built on a sloping site,” says Neshausen.

Along with mobility issues he says there will be increasing pressure as retirees wanting to downsize look for single level homes and those with a lift installed.

He says developers and builders should consider customising properties to meet these set of requirements much the same way they target other market segments.

“Whether it's due to age, mobility issues or simply the need to downsize retirees and the elderly will make up a significant number of future buyers with specific requirements and this represents a unique opportunity to those in the building industry,” says Neshausen.

According to ACC stats, 360,000 claims due to falls in the home were made, at a cost of $435 million, in the past year.
 
Lifemark certified homes are designed to prevent many of these injuries occurring. They incorporate intelligent design features such as improved lighting, non-slip surfaces in wet areas, better designed stairs and window latches to prevent injuries from slips, trips and falls.

Currently Lifemark certifies around 600 new builds a year out of around 25,000 - about two per cent. However that number looks set to increase.

In the Coromandel, anyone building a home or minor dwelling with a floor area less than 60m squared is now advised to seek Lifemark certification prior to lodging a building consent. And Lifemark-approved properties are permitted to have an increased maximum site coverage (40 per cent instead of 35 per cent) and maximum gross floor area (60m2 instead of 50m2).

“Ultimately the housing stock in the Coromandel will be suitable for providing the accommodation needs of people of different ages and abilities,” says Leigh Robcke, District Plan Manager for Thames-Coromandel District Council.

“Lifemark's design standards fit the certification requirements within the new District Plan. This is appropriate for our District where 21.2% of people are aged 65 years and over, compared with 14% of the total New Zealand population.”

Lifemark works with councils throughout New Zealand including Christchurch City Council, Auckland Council, Wellington City Council, South Waikato District Council, Tauranga City Council.