Queenstown case drives need for community role

Thursday, 7 October 2010, 2:39 pm
Press Release: Community Housing Aotearoa

Queenstown case drives urgent need for defining community role in affordable housing

Community Housing Aotearoa, the peak body for New Zealand’s not-for-profit housing sector, is emphatically supporting the Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust (QLCHT) as it seeks to regain its status as a registered charity.

“Since the QLCHT was struck off the register by the Charities Commission last month we have been pursuing other avenues that could lead to that decision being over-turned, and to ensuring that the decision does not shut down pathways to home ownership of benefit to the community,” said David McCartney, Executive Officer of Community Housing Aotearoa.

“Along with QLCHT we have welcomed opportunities to speak about this issue openly with the Housing Minister Phil Heatley. We also welcome the initiative that Labour housing spokesperson Moana Mackey has shown in drafting a bill to amend the Charities Act to overcome what could otherwise be a serious roadblock to the future of affordable housing.

“Moana Mackey’s bill would recognise community housing organisations in their own right and preserve the charitable purposes of our members in providing highly needed social and affordable housing, and we commend her for her efforts.

“The Charities Commission decision sends mixed messages at the worst possible time. Through the work of the Government-appointed Housing Advisory Group, community housing organisations are finally being given some hope that they are a vital part of the solution for a housing future that will feature less emphasis on State Housing. Ensuring a viable sector without charitable status would be impossible,” said David McCartney.

“Along with other umbrella groups I have spoken with the chief executive of the Charities Commission Trevor Garrett, and was surprised at the Commission’s inflexibility. Our concern now is that waiting for the Commission itself to be reviewed, which is scheduled to happen in 2012, is simply too late.

“Community Housing Aotearoa knows the kind of affordable home ownership models being run by the QLCHT. These are successful models that bring real community benefits, as recently confirmed by a national forum we held about affordable homeownership in Wellington in July.

“Put simply the position adopted by the Charities Commission that charity should never begin with affordable homes is hard to fathom. Their stance that people should instead shift to another location – hardly an option for people who earn their livelihood in Queenstown! – and rent or buy elsewhere, simply shows a lack of knowledge of the realities of housing and a completely subjective and ill-founded opinion”.

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Community Housing Aotearoa

Nga Wharerau o Aotearoa

Community Housing Aotearoa is the peak body for New Zealand's community housing sector. Our 110 members build and manage affordable and social housing.

Our Vision is to make sure every New Zealander is well-housed in a warm, safe, dry and affordable home. This is a basic human right.

We work to support the growth and development of community housing providers to enable them to provide affordable and social housing.

We want to demonstrate that community housing is a critical element alongside private and government owned housing. No one can do it alone.

Community Housing Aotearoa aims to:

1. be the voice of the community housing sector
2. build capacity and foster collaboration
3. promote best practice in housing policy
4. champion quality and excellence.

Contact Community Housing Aotearoa

• Website - communityhousing.org.nz/
• Our Place - Learn how we think this can be achieved
• Phone - +64 4 385 8722
• About us - Our 2021 annual report is online here
• Email - support@communityhousing.org.nz
• Link - Members directory
• Physical Address - Level 11, Ranchhod Tower, 39 The Terrace/102-112 Lambton Quay, Wellington