Thursday 24 November, 2016

Government’s social housing proposal welcomed

Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel has welcomed the Government’s proposal to transfer up to 2,500 of its Housing New Zealand (HNZ) properties to a local community housing provider.

In announcing the proposal today, Minister Bill English revealed that one in five of HNZ’s properties was currently being under-utilised in Christchurch.

“The Government has recognised that under-utilised social housing doesn’t help anyone,” says Mayor Dalziel.

“So it makes complete sense that such housing should be transferred to a local provider, focused on building sustainable communities and ensuring the needs of tenants remain first and foremost.”

The Government has proposed a single transfer of between 2,000 and 2,500 Housing New Zealand (HNZ) properties, mainly in Bryndwr, Riccarton and Shirley. HNZ would continue to own and manage up to 3,900 properties in other areas of the city.

Only registered New Zealand community housing providers would be eligible to bid for the properties. They would enter into a 25-year contract with the Ministry of Social Development to provide social housing.

Mayor Dalziel says the Council, which currently leases its social housing to a community housing provider – the Ōtautahi Community Housing Trust – will take a strong interest in exploring the Government’s proposal when fully released.

“The Council and the Trust are committed to exploring options together for the development of new social housing in Christchurch and the Government’s proposal represents an important opportunity.”

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