Council seeks partners for new social housing provider

Christchurch City Council has begun seeking proposals from organisations to form a new community housing provider (CHP) that will help to secure and grow the Council's social housing service into the future.

The new, non-profit provider will manage the Council’s approximately 2,200 open social housing units and help to access extra revenue for the service via the Government’s Income-Related Rent Subsidy (IRRS).

The Council will hold up to a 49 per cent share in the CHP, while the remaining share will be made up of third-party stakeholders selected after the tendering process ends on 28 April.

The Council will retain full ownership of its social housing under the new structure.

To manage the process, the Council has set up a Housing Management Board that will oversee the creation of the CHP.

Deputy Mayor Vicki Buck, chair of the new board, says the new provider will play a vital role in securing the future of the Council's social housing.

"The main objective is to return the Council’s social housing to a financially sustainable position without relying on a top-up from ratepayers," she says.

“The Council’s social housing has never been subsidised by rates, and there's no intention to start now.

"The Housing Management Board will work with Council staff and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment towards registering the new provider to become eligible for the Government's IRRS scheme.

“This will ensure a stable future for our tenants, while also acting as a catalyst for the building of new housing units in the city."

Deputy Mayor Buck says the CHP could also help to improve levels of service for social housing tenants.

"The new structure will allow us to work hand-in-hand with other housing providers and social agencies to strengthen the services we currently provide to tenants."

It is expected the new CHP will be operational by 1 July 2015.

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