That is the view of Abbeyfield executive officer Susan Jenkins, who was in Dunedin yesterday supporting a campaign which will make Abbeyfield Dunedin more affordable.
The aim is to buy out the original owners of the home, and put it on the same rental-only footing as other Abbeyfield facilities.
The committee has raised $30,000 of the $100,000 needed to buy out the owners of the home, which opened in 2007.
Committee secretary Margy-Jean Malcolm said the idea was to provide affordable and suitable accommodation for older people.
At present, owner-occupiers pay $357 per week, and renters pay $497 per week.
After the buy-out, all residents would pay $396 per week, which includes meals.
Ms Malcolm’s mother, Margaret, who is 96, is one of seven residents, but the house could cater for up to 10.
The committee felt upbeat about the fundraising, which was well on the way to its target.
"We just need the Dunedin community to get behind us. Yes we wish government policy had more in place to support things like this."
An antiques roadshow event was planned for October 16, which will include a charity auction.
"We’re trying to create something that’s fun ... and let’s in the process try to raise the profile and raise some funds and hopefully get us closer to the $100,000 target."
Ms Jenkins, of Nelson, said inquiries to Abbeyfield from community groups and territorial authorities had markedly increased because of the need for affordable housing for the elderly. She hoped that in time a second facility would open in Dunedin.
"Every town in New Zealand needs at least one ...
"[but] our focus right now is about completing the house here [through the fundraising drive]."
