Zurich Applications for retirement apartments in Zurich remain digital
Anyone wishing to apply for a retirement home in the city of Zurich must do so online. On Wednesday, the municipal council rejected a return to the "offline" procedure. The SVP had submitted a postulate to this effect.
28.08.2024, 20:10
SDA
"The city council does not understand why an 80-year-old cannot submit an online application," said Samuel Balsiger (SVP), explaining the motion. However, the SVP was alone in fearing that senior citizens would be overwhelmed.
The city parliament rejected the motion with 104 votes against and 12 in favor. Councillor Andreas Hauri (GLP) emphasized that there was enough help available from the city if someone could not cope with the computer. There is also a telephone hotline.
"Not everyone wants to use the chat box"
The other parties did not see a problem either. "It's cheeky to imply that older people are generally overwhelmed by technology," said Nicolas Cavalli (GLP).
The SVP was spreading clichés, agreed his party colleague Sven Sobernheim. "Senior citizens have also experienced digitalization. Not everyone wants to go to the cash register."
The SP also emphasized that "older people don't live behind the moon". They are by no means as backwoods as the SVP portrays them, said Pascal Lamprecht.
No more random generator
The registration process will therefore remain digital. On Tuesday, the city council announced how the application process will work from October 2: Ten interested parties will be invited to view each vacant apartment from online applications.
Preference will be given to senior citizens who are at risk of losing their home, have limited mobility or are in financial difficulties. A special connection to the neighborhood is also taken into account in the application.
After viewing the apartment, the City of Zurich Retirement Homes Foundation invites three of the interested parties to an interview and awards the apartment to the most suitable person or party.
The publicly advertised apartments are awarded in a "transparent, criteria-based procedure", emphasized the city council. There will no longer be a random generator, as was used in the past.
