From July, the rent on 89 Waitaki District Council-owned community housing units will increase between $2 and $4 per week, and although opinion among superannuitants in Oamaru was yesterday divided on the rise, pensioners were all dissatisfied the council had not informed them of it.
Although one 88-year-old resident, who wished to remain anonymous, was ''irate'' about the increase, Linda Gosling (84) said she would ''willingly pay'' the extra amount.
''They are just lovely places. We are really well looked after.''
Margaret Goodall said the increase was something she would ''just have to deal with''. A $2 rise was only ''half a bottle of milk'', she said.
''As soon as your superannuation or your benefit goes up, everything else goes up with it - you never win.''
However, she expressed concern the council had not warned superannuitants of the impending rent rise.
''I am very disappointed that the council didn't think fit to write us a note beforehand. It's just a common courtesy.''
Pat Jones said she had not been informed of the details of the rent rise.
''I think we should have been told.''
Age Concern Waitaki co-ordinator Wayne Stringer said he was satisfied the council had made a ''genuine mistake'' in not notifying residents of the changes, and added that affected residents would receive letters today.
Council corporate services manager Carolyn Carter said that for each dollar rent rose, most residents would only have to pay 30c. The Work and Income NZ housing subsidy, would subsidise the remaining 70c.
''The full rental will only really be passed to people who are working.''
Ms Carter said the increases would offset escalating costs for maintaining and managing the units, ''without having any negative impact on tenants''.
Ms Carter added that it had not been possible to issue letters to residents prior to taking the details to councillors yesterday.
''Sometimes we can get the letters in advance of the meeting, sometimes we can't.
''The rent isn't due to rise until July 8, so there has been no problem with the timing.''
Letters were sent out yesterday, she said.
