The proposed housing model is about the integration of seniors into the wider community. This is of special relevance in the context of the arrival of the Baby Boomers in retirement (= 2,000+ seniors/month for the next 2 decades). This concept of “supported living” is about  a new future living choice for seniors - an alternative to staying at home alone or going into a rest home/village.

Intergenerational Living in the city means living in an apartment house or terraced houses in your own or rented apartment/house complemented by community spaces for meeting/ eating, hobbies, child-care or gardening. The residents are of all ages (1/3 seniors) ; they are committed to neighbourly support like driving, shopping, child supervision or help in emergencies. This concept offers even more: the design is senior-friendly (“barrier free”, with lifts etc) and also eco-friendly (solar water for hot water, rainwater for toilets, energy saving insulation).

Intergenerational living has been successfully established in hundreds of cases in Europe. It offers many benefits:

Preventing/reducing loneliness in older age, life-enhancing contact with younger generations,  maintaining independence and own decision making, better physical/mental health

Eco-friendly living, sustainable living environment

Anchor point for community, social networks

For building companies: new markets, low frequency of tenant changes

For government/agencies: cost reductions for DHBs (some self-help between generations) , cost reductions for hospitals (seniors have a shorter stay if they can return to a supportive environment), less need for  carers/nurses.                                                                    

It is planned to build a pilot project in Auckland.

This initiative is supported by AGE CONCERN, Auckland

Contact: Alfred Hassencamp,