Springwood St seniors housing project to start this year

Expansion of seniors accommodation on a site in Springwood St, Umina, is expected to start this year following Council approval in December.

Central Coast Council approved an application from Peninsula Village to convert the aged care site into a manufactured home park for seniors, by adding 16 manufactured homes to the existing 12 cottages on the site.

The project was a demonstration of Peninsula Village's "commitment to ensuring that senior citizens ... have access to affordable living options", according to chief executive Mr Shane Neaves.

"This project is another example of Peninsula Village delivering on its objective to provide value within the local community and be an inclusive community for all no matter their background, preference or circumstance," he said.

"Peninsula Villages is committed to ensuring we can meet the demands of our ageing community now and well into the future.

"We want to offer a range of care options for seniors that are all managed and operated by a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to our local community and the needs of residents."

However, Mr Neaves also described Peninsula Village as "a profit-for-purpose organisation".

"We are constantly channelling portions of our profit towards projects we believe have social, environmental and community benefits," he said.

"We have found that affordable housing for seniors is a real issue on the Central Coast, so we decided to fund this project entirely on our own without any local, state or national Government assistance.

"This development allows us to continue supporting the current residents while offering the opportunity to provide that support to others who are in need of support in the future," Mr Neaves said.

"The additional homes have been specifically designed to meet construction standards for seniors and they have been manufactured locally and off-site in order to minimise the impact and disruption to existing residents living on the site.

"On-site parking and level access are key features of the approved development, with the plans aimed to accommodate the elderly who are looking to downsize or reside in a more affordable dwelling.

"We have ensured in the process of developing this project that independent living takes a high priority," Mr Neaves said.

"We understand there is a large portion of the population who still wish to live in a self-contained home but are less ambulant than they have been in the past and may not be in a position to buy into traditional independent living units," Mr Neaves said.

SOURCE:

Media release, 25 Feb 2020

Shane Neaves, Peninsula Villages