Seal of approval for housing could save $60m

Media release

8 December 2009

Seal of approval for housing could save sector $60 million

The housing sector could save up to $60 million a year by choosing a new design and build approach, according to a report by the Ministry of Social Development (MsD).

 The analysis reveals private homeowners, taxpayers, housing developers and government could benefit from significant savings if Lifemark, the building sector’s equivalent to Tourism New Zealand’s Qualmark, was incorporated into new home design.

Homes awarded the Lifemark have 33 design features including a level entry, widened doors and passageways, all aimed at making the house accessible for everyone and easy to adapt as residents’ needs change over time.

Constructing new homes to the Lifemark would mean an end to the expensive task of retrofitting housing in New Zealand. UK studies show that retrofitting an existing house is considerably more expensive than designing with the future in mind at the point of construction.

In the past year, ACC and the Ministry of Health together spent more than $33 million on housing modifications for older people wanting to stay in their own home and people who have a disability, according to the report, “Economic Effects of Utilising Lifemark at a National Level”.

Viv Maidaborn, chair of the Lifemark Board, said New Zealanders were increasingly demanding that consumer products and services are inclusive of all people.

‘This report represents a tremendous vote of confidence in Lifemark, which is now an accepted seal of approval awarded to homes designed to be used, or adapted for use, by people of all ages and abilities.

“ACC could save $2 million a year if just 10% of those disabled through accident injury were living in a Lifemark house in the future.”

Lifemark has also secured the support of Ministry of Social Development chief executive Peter Hughes, who said:

“The demand for disability-friendly housing is set to rise significantly over the next 30 years as the population ages. The reality is that the design of New Zealand’s housing stock does not yet take into account this dramatic shift in demographics.

“Lifemark will be of major benefit to those designing homes which meet the needs of New Zealanders today and tomorrow.”

Around $50 million of development that meets the Lifemark is currently underway with more than 50 housing designs already approved by Lifemark. Almost 300 Lifemark approved homes are currently under construction. Summerset retirement homes and the Salvation Army have already used the model in their developments.

ENDS

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