‘Affordable housing is a human right’: Deputy mayor suggests leasehold properties in Kaiapoi

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Northern Outlook

By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter

Affordable housing needs to be a priority for Kaiapoi as the town is the brink of major growth, Waimakariri deputy mayor Neville Atkinson says.

Atkinson is looking at ways to keep house prices down, including offering leasehold land for development.

More than a decade on from the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes which devastated the town, its population is now more than 13,000 and is set for more growth.

Atkinson, who is the council’s housing portfolio holder, said affordable housing is a human right, but the question is how to achieve it.

‘‘People are saying ‘you keep talking about it and don’t do anything’, but we are, but it is complicated and planning takes time.

‘‘There are so many people in different degrees of inadequate housing and there are no easy solutions.

‘‘It is about looking at different models which can work and giving people some options.’’

Statistics New Zealand high growth projections suggest the town could grow by 52% over the next 30 years, creating demand for an extra 2900 new houses.

The proposed Waimakariri District Plan, which is expected to take effect later this year, proposes opening up 97 hectares for housing in Kaiapoi - enough land for more than 4000 houses.

To help reduce the upfront housing costs and rising debt levels, Atkinson would like to see more council and government owned land opened up as leasehold land for housing.

‘‘There would need to be a bit of due diligence around the lease agreements, but it could be a great option for people.

‘‘As long as we can get banks on board, it would significantly reduce their mortgage as they wouldn’t need to borrow as much.’’

Te Kohaka o Tuhaitara Trust, a partnership between the council and Te Ngāi Tūāhuriri Rūnanga, has proposed making former red zone land at Kairaki Beach available as leasehold land for housing.

Atkinson said the land may only have finite life, given the predictions around sea level rise, so it would mean home owners were not tied to the land.

Another option could be selling a house on an undeveloped section, with the home owner adding a driveway, garage, lawn and garden as they could afford it.

‘‘It won’t work for everybody and developers often want to offer a complete package, but we need to look at ways of making it more affordable.’’

The council is expecting an update soon on a mixed used development on former red zone land on the south bank of the Kaiapoi River, first proposed by local developer William Hill Consulting Ltd in 2021.

Atkinson is also keen for his council to explore a Dunedin City Council model of centralised hot water heating cylinders on pensioner housing, which has significantly reduced power bills.

■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.