Council releases independent review of social housing incident

An independent review of events surrounding the death of a Christchurch City Council social housing tenant in 2013 has concluded that Council staff could not have prevented the tragedy.

Valmai McFie died on 20 July 2013 after she was attacked by her neighbour Colin Hoani at the Council’s MacGibbon Place social housing complex in Spreydon.

The independent review, which was conducted by Ernst & Young late last year, found that the Tenancy Advisor at the time of the incident took all practical steps to defuse the tenant conflict, as per the Residential Tenancies Act and Council policy at the time.

The review’s findings relate to the Council’s social housing policies and procedures in place between February 2011 and September 2013.

Council Chief Executive Dr Karleen Edwards says, in light of some of the findings, the Council is taking further steps to address the welfare of its social housing tenants and staff.

“Since 2013, the Council has made a number of changes to the way it manages social housing tenancies, particularly around how risks to tenants and staff are identified,” says Dr Edwards.

“The independent review has confirmed that the changes made to date were the right ones. However, it has also highlighted some areas where further improvements can be made, and the Council is now in the process of adopting those recommendations.

“Part of that process involves a thorough review of the Council’s social housing policies and procedures, including how staff manage anti-social behaviour and how ‘red flags’ are raised and managed for tenants who potentially pose a safety risk to themselves, other tenants, staff or contractors.

“The Council is committed to providing social housing that is, above all, safe for the community. I’m confident the steps we have taken to date, and the ones we are taking today, demonstrate that commitment,” she says.

The Council is currently working with other social services agencies to develop a comprehensive Anti-Social Behaviour Policy.

A significant review of the health and safety plan for the Council’s Housing Unit has also been completed. The plan is currently being implemented.

The Council conducted its own internal review of the MacGibbon Place incident in 2013. It also concluded that staff had acted professionally and in a manner consistent with the Residential Tenancies Act.

The Council is currently exploring options to set up a separate provider that will manage its social housing and grow the service into the future.

Dr Edwards says the Council will work hand-in-hand with the new provider to ensure any changes to policies or procedures are carried through.

“The Council is committed to providing social housing for the long term. Any changes made today will still be in place tomorrow,” she says.

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