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14 | THE REVIEW JAN–APR 2024 Truly accessible housing opens more than doors for Leon Palmerston North City Council built accessible housing units and Cerebral Palsy Society member Leon Prenter is among the residents reaping the benefits. By Leon Prenter As former Prime Minister Norman Kirk said, “Basically there are four things that matter to people: they have to have somewhere to live, they have to have food to eat, they have to have clothing to wear, and they have to have something to hope for.” When you have a physical disability having somewhere to live can be a real challenge, designed for wheelchair users like myself. In November 2023 I moved into one of these flats. While I have lived in an accessible flat for many years, my new flat is much more accessible, and I can tell accessibility has been considered in the design of these flats. All units are double glazed and well insulated, meaning they should be warm in winter. The halls and doorways are particularly in a housing crisis. This is especially true if you have accessibility needs which rule out most options in rental accommodation. I am fortunate to live in Palmerston North, a city with a council committed to social housing to the extent it recently built 85 new flats in Papaioea Place, including some which have been specifically Palmerston North City Council has 85 units at Papaioea Place, four of which are fully accessible. Photo: Alexander Robertson