Auckland Council completed decisions on the Independent Hearings Panel recommendations on the Auckland Unitary Plan this week.
A question Charities Services often get asked is "why do charities have to complete an annual return and a performance report? Isn't this doubling up?" It can feel like a duplication of effort, but there are reasons why both must be completed.
Your charity’s performance report is a detailed document about your organisation that contains non-financial information about your activities during the year. It also shows financial information, including notes and policies, and anything else your charity considers useful for the reader.
The annual return form on the other hand, only includes a snippet of the information contained in your performance report. It captures the information that is relevant at a high level, and that is useful for gathering information about the sector and informing policy.
A legal opinion prepared for Community Housing Aotearoa by Wellington barrister and solicitor, Thomas Bennion, says it’s safe to put affordable housing back in the Auckland Unitary Plan.
Here you will find information about tax status for charitable organisations providing community housing. It will provide you information on: income tax exemption and donee status; qualifying for the tax exemption and donee status; and applying for the income tax exemption.
Community housing providers say "key workers" such as nurses and teachers will still be locked out of housing close to their work unless Auckland's new Unitary Plan requires a share of "affordable" housing.
Here's our latest newsletter that looks at: the Auckland Unitary Plan – why it needs to mandate affordable housing, a profile on He Korowai Trust- Bringing heart and home back to the far North, new Government funding focused on supporting better housing outcomes, plus much, much more.
Kiwis who build homes with an ageing, less-mobile population in mind will be rewarded with a local government initiative that reduces costs and streamlines the consent process. New Zealand’s housing stock is largely poorly equipped to deal with its already ageing population. And the issue is set to intensify as one-in-five people will be aged over 65 by 2030 - with over 50 per cent of them suffering from some form of disability. Lifemark - a charity established by CCS Disability Action - has been campaigning for new Kiwi homes to be built with features that better cater for the elderly and disabled as well as being suitable for the whole family.
The recommendations from the Independent Hearings Panel on the Auckland Unitary Plan were released on 27 July, 2016. They have revealed a plan for more widespread, higher-density housing than previously proposed – which we strongly support. Legislation requires the council to settle the plan by 19 August, or seek a one-month time extension. The housing affordability requirements have not been included in the panel's recommendations.There is still time for Auckland Council to put them back in!
Community Housing Aotearoa is applauding Government’s move to invest $9 million over the next two years into two internationally recognised models aimed at curbing homelessness.
The recommendations from the Independent Hearings Panel on the Auckland Unitary Plan have been released. They have revealed a plan for more widespread, higher-density housing than previously proposed. Legislation requires the council to settle the plan by 19 August. The housing affordability thresholds have not been included in the panel's recommendations.
