6 November 2014

Commitment to Council housing tenants confirmed, discussion on future to be had

The future delivery of social housing in Palmerston North will be considered by residents.

On Monday, the Community Development Committee will consider the draft Social Housing Strategy (2014) and, if approved it will go out for public consultation.

Palmerston North City Council is the second largest provider of social housing in the city with 311 housing units providing subsidised accommodation for older people on low incomes and people on low incomes who have long term disabilities. As well as that, Council owns 100 public housing units. These are rented out at market rates and are not targeted to particular groups of tenants.

Acting Mayor Jim Jefferies says the draft strategy reaffirms Council’s current commitment to social and public housing tenants.

“There are no plans to alter our commitment to our tenants. Instead, we want to have a conversation with our tenants, support agencies and the wider community about the future.”

Palmerston North City Council chief executive Paddy Clifford says the aim of the draft strategy is to provide warm, stable and affordable housing for people on low incomes who are aged 65 plus; or have long term disabilities; or experience barriers to meeting their housing needs in the private market.

“We want to ensure the most effective use of resources in supporting the provision of social housing and also support an increase in social housing in Palmerston North,” says Mr Clifford.

The draft strategy asks tenants, ratepayers, residents and Councillors a number of questions:
• Who should Council’s social housing be for?
• Should Council’s public housing come under the social housing umbrella.
• Should Council adopt a Warrant of Fitness scheme for social housing?
• Should Council convert its bedsit stock to one bedroom units?
• Should Council provide additional social support services for tenants in need?
• What role does the Council have in trying to increase social housing provision in Palmerston North?

Paddy Clifford says that while consultation is being carried out, officers will prepare a report on models for delivery of social housing to be considered by Councillors in the next financial year. If councillors approve a change in delivery then it will be consulted on with the public.

Manager community engagement Cathy McCartney says officers delivered letters to tenants in both social and public housing advising them of the consultation this week. Council will commit staff time to visit social housing complexes to talk with residents about the draft strategy to ensure their opinions are captured and presented to Councillors in February next year.

FAQ SHEET

What is the objective of the draft strategy?
The aim is to provide warm, stable and affordable housing for: people on low incomes who are aged 65+; have long term disabilities; or who experience barriers to meeting their housing needs in the private market. If adopted the strategy will make the most effective use of resources in supporting the provision of social housing and also support the increase in social housing in Palmerston North.

I’m a social housing tenant, how does this affect me?
For existing tenants nothing will change if the strategy is adopted as it is proposed. Council will deliver a letter to you to inform you of the consultation. Council is working with several agencies to do this. Council officers will also meet with you, if you wish, during the consultation period to help ensure your voice is heard.

I’m a public housing tenant, how does this affect me?
For existing tenants nothing will change if the strategy is adopted as it is proposed. Council will deliver a letter to you and you can call us on 356 8199 to discuss any issues of visit pncc.govt.nz for more information.

Is Council planning to stop supporting social housing?
No, if anything this strategy will grow social housing in Palmerston North and ensure more of Palmerston North’s most vulnerable people have access to safe and secure secure housing in the city.

Is Council going to build more social housing?
There are no plans to do this, however Council is willing to consider and work with other parties.

Is Council going to increase its social housing?
The strategy proposes bringing Council’s 100 public housing (housing rented at market rent to those who can afford it) into Council’s social housing. The proposal is that future tenants of these 100 units will pay market rates, however these houses will be reserved for those who meet social housing criteria i.e. on low income and / or who experience other barriers to private rental market.

Is Council considering the future ownership of social housing?
Not at this time but council is required by changes in the Local Government Act to consider how it delivers services and it will consider social housing delivery in 2015-16 financial year.
When will I get a chance to have a say on the strategy?
Consultation will be carried out this month. All information will be fed back to Councillors for consideration in February 2015.

What is Council’s decision making process around the strategy?
The Community and Development Committee will consider the draft strategy on Monday 10 November and if adopted public consultation will begin. Council officers will consider the response from the public and present it to Councillors in February next year. The draft strategy may change through this process. Council will endeavour to keep tenants and the wider community informed of those changes.

How do I find out more?
The draft strategy is in the Community Development Committee agenda which can be found at pncc.govt.nz. As of Tuesday 11 November the draft, if approved for consultation, will be available at pncc.govt.nz.

Why is Council changing stuff?
Councils current Social Housing Strategy is seven years old. Council is required to review its level of service to ensure it meets the needs of the community.

Is social housing currently funded by rates?
Yes, partly. It currently costs an average ratepayer 33 cents a week to maintain the current level of service; the rest is made up from the subsidised rents paid by tenants.

Who lives in Council’s social housing?
Council owns 311 social housing units, providing subsidised accommodation for older people on low incomes, and people on low incomes who have long term disabilities. The housing is situated in 16 locations around the city and Council is the second largest provider in the city, after Housing New Zealand.

Who lives in Council’s public housing?
Council owns 100 public housing units which are rented out at market rates as an investment on behalf of ratepayers. Unlike social housing, they are not targeted to a particular group of tenants.

Will Council take on Housing New Zealand houses in Palmerston North?
There are no plans to do this at the moment.

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