Waimakariri council looks to social housing

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Northern Outlook

From local democracy reporter David Hill:

The council has a role to play in social housing, says Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon.

Gordon says he aims to make supporting social housing initiatives a priority for the new council term.

The council received a draft housing policy statement from its housing working group at its last meeting for the 2019-22 council term last week.

The housing working group will now consult with Ngāi Tūāhuriri hapū before bringing the draft statement back to the new council for consideration.

Gordon said he was aware of several people who had been caught out by the lack of affordable rental housing and social housing in the district.

People were being forced into in camping grounds or had to seek social housing in Christchurch or further afield.

‘‘It’s pretty real and I know from first hand experience it’s a real issue out here.

‘‘I have people coming through the office who are in this situation,’’ he said.

‘‘There’s also people who are long term renters who will never be in a position to buy a house.

‘‘As a council we have an opportunity to make sure our community is supported."

Gordon said ultimately it would be up to the community to have a say on how the council should respond.

Options might include increasing the elder persons housing stock.

The council has 112 elder persons units in its property portfolio in Kaiapoi, Rangiora and Oxford at present.

The council could also partner with organisations such as Kāinga Ora, Vision West and the Otautahi Community Housing Trust.

The Otautahi Community Housing Trust, which manages the Christchurch City Council’s housing portfolio, has already approached the council about the possibility of setting up a sister trust to work with other councils including Waimakariri.

Gordon was keen to support the establishment of an Abbeyfield House to provide affordable, communal housing for retirees, and exploring other models, and looking for potential funding partners such as central government agencies and the Rātā Foundation.

One possible model was the Peterborough Housing Co-operative in Christchurch, where 14 townhouses provide for families living in a community setting.

In a report to last week’s council meeting, strategic projects manager Simon Markham said affordable housing was an important social issue.

He said supporting social housing aligned with the objectives in the council’s 2021-31 long-term plan, in supporting people’s wellbeing.

The Greater Christchurch Partnership had also prepared a draft Greater Christchurch Social and Affordable Housing Action Plan to address ‘‘unmet housing need’’.

‘‘It is now widely understood that housing plays a significant role in health outcomes, especially for those on limited incomes,’’ Markham said in his report.

‘‘Stable housing also contributes strongly to the social and ultimately cultural wellbeing of communities and to the sense of identity that communities forge over time.’’

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