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.
Five new social housing homes were opened in Glen Innes, Auckland this week. These units have been built by Accessible Properties, a division of IHC New Zealand. The homes will be used for affordable rental by people with social support needs, including placements from the Government’s social housing register.
Congratulations to Hamilton City – the whole city – Wise Group, the People's Project and the coalition for pulling together and winning the Local Government New Zealand community engagement award for its central city safety plan, specifically the work on the People's Project. It’s a testament to the leadership shown by this group and CHA applauds you. You went ahead and built a coalition across local government, central government, service users and many service agencies to introduce a housing first project and bring the end of homelessness within sight. Well done.
The state may fill the gap left by a big shortfall in a tender for community housing, Prime Minister John Key says. Key told journalists in Wellington tonight that the Government was committed to providing the extra social housing places offered in the current request for proposals for 1000 social housing units in Auckland. Community providers have proposed only between 225 and 239 homes, and this year's Budget documents show that the Government actually expects to contract for only 175 homes in the financial year starting this month.
Simon Collins reports in the NZ Herald today on the request for proposals for 1000 extra social housing spaces established in November 2015. The article reports that Government efforts to solve Auckland's housing crisis have been dealt a major blow by a weak response to a request for proposals to build 1000 new homes for social housing tenants. Community housing providers say they have proposed a maximum of only 239 new social housing places, because of problems finding suitable land and because capital funding for the new places this year has been capped at only $13.55 million.
