20 November 2020
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Homeless in Rotorua
Enquiry
There are ongoing concerns about out of town homeless being "dumped" in Rotorua and how it's impacting the city.
I have written about this before and the mayor was very concerned at the time and said she was going to call for change.
People I've spoken to say the problem isn't getting any better, in fact it's worse. They say they are concerned about what will happen when overseas visitors return, as our motels are now being used for homeless people and there's so many of them loitering the streets and creating a bad look for the city.
There are calls for the Government/MSD to stop allowing people from out of town to come here for housing.
MSD has always said they are locals people on the ground know for a fact they aren't, they are dealing with them all of the time and they know they are coming from all over.
These are residents genuinely concerned for the image and future of Rotorua.
I will of course be getting MSD comment but I was keen to get Steve Chadwick's response as well as any council feedback on plans you have in place.
For the mayor: Are you still concerned about the out of town homeless coming to Rotorua?
For the mayor: Have you sought clarification from MSD about whether they are allowing people to come here?
For the mayor: Since your calls for action in June, do you think much has changed?
For the council: Is the council concerned about the current emergency housing arrangement and out of towners coming here? How is it involved in improving the situation?
Response
The following comment and information was provided:
From Mayor Steve Chadwick:
Homelessness remains a major concern and we have always said using motels for emergency accommodation is not a viable long-term solution. Increasing housing supply is a priority and we have a plan in place and actions underway. [Kelly see below re the plan and what's underway etc]
We would all like to be able to solve things more quickly but I can assure the community we are working hard on housing, and on bringing relevant agencies together to collaborate on how we address local issues. We discussed our concerns with Minister Nash when he visited this week and we are looking at ways we can work together with other partners.
I hope that issues relating to anti-social and criminal behaviour are being raised with the police to ensure they are being dealt with.
I have sought and received assurances several times that MSD is not actively bringing people here from other centres and have been clear that I do not want Rotorua becoming a preferred option for people from elsewhere and making the issue worse.
Re Question 4 - see below from Strategy Group Manager Jean-Paul Gaston:
Council and others are working very hard to gain traction on increasing housing supply.
We need more housing of all types and that will require a collective response. That's why we have partnered with Te Arawa and Government agencies on a housing plan that also recognises it is not just about building houses. He Papakāinga, He Hapori Taurikura - Te Poupu Rautaki (Homes and Thriving Communities Strategic Framework) aims to ensure we create connected, safe, resilient communities rather than just build houses.
The plan addresses the local housing shortage from multiple aspects, with multiple parties committed to various actions. Council's role includes investing in infrastructure, district plan changes, working with developers, working with relevant agencies and organisations to ensure homes are healthy, and locality planning alongside communities.
Current council work related to housing and underway:
- Housing and Thriving Communities Strategic Framework, developed in partnership with Te Arawa and Central Government agencies following community consultation and input into both the draft and finalised plan. [Please note: some actions in the plan are already underway. See also links/references to the strategy below];
- Investment in infrastructure upgrades including wastewater, roading and stormwater is underway throughout the city;
- Council is progressing a District Plan Change to facilitate housing at Pukehangi (Plan Change 2, see more HERE);
- Council and NZTA recently received Government funding for roading and stormwater upgrades to support proposed housing at Wharenui. [Kelly this has been reported on by the Daily Post a couple of times. This is funding that came through application to Crown Infrastructure Partners (CIP)];
- Council is collaborating with Tatau Pounamu Collective on an eastside locality plan that will address the future needs and aspirations of communities there (see more about that HERE);
- Long-term infrastructure planning is underway (Infrastructure GM Stavros Michael presented to elected members at 3 Sept Operations & Monitoring Committee meeting - see presentation slides HERE);
- Climate Action Plan (this includes infrastructure resilience planning/actions - draft plan was presented at O&M 3 Sept, see more HERE);
- Healthy Homes initiative is ongoing (see more about that HERE).[See below links to the Housing and Thriving Communities Strategy which outlines what we want to achieve, what is planned and who (council, government agencies, iwi) will do what. See 'work streams' section which starts p20 which sets out actions and which agency/agencies will be leading/delivering them.]Housing Strategy (e-book)(External link) / Housing Strategy (pdf)(External link)