St Andrew’s Church and Metlifecare Village.
Juliet Drage, left, and Anne Morrison outside the block of older units Metlifecare wants to upgrade. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
Four of the nine tenants evicted by Metlifecare after its decision to refurbish 11 rental units at its St Andrew’s Cambridge village have already found suitable accommodation.
One may not choose to return to independent living after a hospital stay as their individual care needs may require care home level accommodation, Operations general manager Hannah Walton has told The News.
The tenants have to be out by March next year.
The update is in response to The News’ request for comment from Taupō MP Louise Upston. In her statement she said she would continue to work closely with Cambridge Committee of Social Services and St Andrew’s Church on behalf of the residents.
Louise Upston
“I have visited residents in their homes at the village in the past. Considering the history and ethos of the village, they would never have expected that they would need to move, so it will be a real shock to them.
“Given the age of the residents, ample time and support needs to be provided to them to find suitable and affordable rental accommodation.
“Waiting lists in Cambridge are long. Ideally, residents would be able to stay in their homes until they decide to move, or have to move, due to healthcare needs,” said Upston.
“I’m sure with some creative thinking, Metlifecare can come up with a solution that has these residents at heart.”
Walton said the company would continue to help find a solution for the four tenants still looking for accommodation.
“Given it is just over four weeks since the tenants started making enquiries, and four have already found alternative accommodation options, we are confident there will be suitable solutions found for the remaining tenants,” said Walton.
Meanwhile chief executive Earl Gasparich was in Cambridge this week for the village’s annual meeting.
The News requested an interview with him but he was on a “pretty tight agenda, hosting several each day, plus travel,” the company said.
See: Change for villas
See: Plea to Metlifecare: Do the right thing
- The headline was changed in this article plus we clarified Louise Upston’s statement was in response to a request from The News.
Garry Smith, Chief Executive of The Selwyn Foundation, left, which sold to Metlifecare two years ago. At right is Metlifecare chief executive Earl Gasparich.
