A shared housing initiative for elderly people is one step closer to reality, with land currently being subdivided.

The committee behind the new Abbeyfield shared house hoped to be able to build at the end of 2026, but were still in negotiations with the landowner.

Alexandra Council of Social Services (ACSS) secretary Carole Gillions told the Vincent Community Board last week the developer had given them a year to come up with a deposit for the 2500sqm patch of land, and were looking at a range of funding options.

The proposed shared housing facility would cost about $3.5million and be 12 or 14 rooms, but Abbeyfield would still hold the title to the property, Carole said.

Abbeyfield was an innovative housing model for older people wanting to retain their independence but still enjoy the company of others, including shared meals made by a housekeeper.

Funding for the development would be both on a local and national level, with each of the residents renting their own private space including an outdoor area.

There were currently two other houses in the lower South Island - Wakatipu and Dunedin - with another three in Christchurch and four in Nelson. The aim was to build 30 houses throughout the country.

The idea for the rental accommodation followed two community huis - the first back in 2018 - which identified a strong need for more elderly persons housing in the town.

Carole Gillions looks over the Abbeyfield housing concept for Alexandra. FILE SHOT

Carole introduced the Abbeyfield concept to ACSS in 2023, and once the steering committee was formed, it also gained consent from the parent body to go ahead with the proposal.

Carole said in other areas councils had helped support through either reduced development contributions or the gifting of land.

She said the concept was based around being able to be affordable through the National Superannuation scheme, with no equity buy-in, "so it doesn't exclude people."

The committee was hoping to make a decision in early 2025 on which size house they could afford to build, but was hoping for a larger one to maximise the space.

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