Hon Ken Travers asks about the Ministry of Housing's policy on bedroom numbers and multi-story construction for seniors' accommodation. The Minister clarifies the allocation process, bedroom mix targets, regional manager discretion, and the rationale for multi-story buildings in inner-city areas.

AnsweredQoN 83Legislative Council
Asked
8 August 2000
Portfolio
Housing

QuestionView source ↗

(1) What is the Ministry of Housing s current policy regarding the minimum number of bedrooms allowed for in newly constructed seniors accommodation? (2) Will the Ministry continue to build seniors accommodation that is more than single story? Answered on 5 September 2000 The Minister

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
5 September 2000
Response time
28 days
(1) The Ministry allocates accommodation based on the needs of its clients and will provide two bedroom accommodation to seniors clients where required. The Minsitry aims to have a 40/60% mix of one and two bedroom units in its seniors building program. However, Regional Managers have discretion in the construction of seniors accommodation particularly in relation to the New Living Program and fluctuations in the percentage do occur from year to year. During 2000/2001 the mix will be 82 one bedroom units and 256 two bedroom units. (2) The Ministry intends to continue construction of seniors accommodation of more than one storey for inner city areas only. These units will only be allocated to able-bodied clients with no mobility problems and applicants will be able to decline this accommodation without penalty. To restrict construction to single storey units means less units are built in inner city and high demand areas where zoning and densities encourage multi storey developments. For instance, it would be inappropriate for the Ministry to construct only five units on a site that could realistically be developed for ten units.
(2) Will the Ministry continue to build seniors accommodation that is more than single story? Answered on 5 September 2000 The Minister Replied: (1) The Ministry allocates accommodation based on the needs of its clients and will provide two bedroom accommodation to seniors clients where required. The Minsitry aims to have a 40/60% mix of one and two bedroom units in its seniors building program. However, Regional Managers have discretion in the construction of seniors accommodation particularly in relation to the New Living Program and fluctuations in the percentage do occur from year to year. During 2000/2001 the mix will be 82 one bedroom units and 256 two bedroom units. (2) The Ministry intends to continue construction of seniors accommodation of more than one storey for inner city areas only. These units will only be allocated to able-bodied clients with no mobility problems and applicants will be able to decline this accommodation without penalty. To restrict construction to single storey units means less units are built in inner city and high demand areas where zoning and densities encourage multi storey developments. For instance, it would be inappropriate for the Ministry to construct only five units on a site that could realistically be developed for ten units.
Answered on 5 September 2000 The Minister Replied: (1) The Ministry allocates accommodation based on the needs of its clients and will provide two bedroom accommodation to seniors clients where required. The Minsitry aims to have a 40/60% mix of one and two bedroom units in its seniors building program. However, Regional Managers have discretion in the construction of seniors accommodation particularly in relation to the New Living Program and fluctuations in the percentage do occur from year to year. During 2000/2001 the mix will be 82 one bedroom units and 256 two bedroom units. (2) The Ministry intends to continue construction of seniors accommodation of more than one storey for inner city areas only. These units will only be allocated to able-bodied clients with no mobility problems and applicants will be able to decline this accommodation without penalty. To restrict construction to single storey units means less units are built in inner city and high demand areas where zoning and densities encourage multi storey developments. For instance, it would be inappropriate for the Ministry to construct only five units on a site that could realistically be developed for ten units.

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