MEDIA RELEASE

2 October 2013

Affordable housing priority for new council

Tackling the affordability of housing will be a key priority for the next Auckland Council, says Mayor Len Brown.

“Delivering more affordable housing is difficult and finding solutions will take a range of responses from central government, the Council, the private sector and community groups,” says Len Brown.

“We have taken a step forward with the Council’s Unitary Plan now notified.  This will create an environment where it is more viable to develop a range of housing types to suit the different needs of different people. It will also open up more land to allow for some outward growth, in addition to the upward growth in existing urban areas.

“To capture the Plan’s benefits, it is imperative that we work through the submission, hearings and recommendation process of the independent hearings panel on the notified Unitary Plan as quickly as practicable and without delay.

“We have also led the way by negotiating the Housing Accord with the Government that targets a much higher level of development and gives us the tools we need to promote more house building through Special Housing Areas.

“If re-elected, I will ensure that a percentage of housing developed under the Accord will be required to be affordable and specifically targeted at first time home buyers and those who do not have to means to purchase a home at market rates.

“I will also bring together a cross sector think-tank to recommend ways that will ensure that the Unitary Plan delivers best practice greenfield development and urban regeneration projects. Such development will be characterised by excellent urban design coupled with high levels of sustainability and affordability.”

Len Brown said he wants the Council to closely watch the impact of the Reserve Bank’s new policy on loan-to-value ratios, which limits the number of home loans which banks can make to borrowers with deposits of less than 20 percent.

“In Auckland, first home buyers – who tend to be borrowers with low deposits - are not the cause of housing unaffordability.  They tend to be victims of it.  If the LVR policy is unfairly impacting on Aucklanders looking to enter the housing market, the Council should engage with the Reserve Bank on whether there are other options which do not penalise first home buyers.”

Mr Brown said he also wants Auckland Council to look at options to increase affordable housing for the elderly.

“The Council currently owns 1500 units of housing for the elderly and is a significant land owner across the region – creating opportunities for development and redevelopment that can enhance the pool of affordable housing.

“By partnering to leverage these opportunities, we will provide more and better units for the elderly, and work to create affordable developments. In addition, we will actively explore options to partner with the community housing sector both in terms of development and management of Council’s housing stock.”

Housing_Policy.pdf

ENDS

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