26 September 2017

Media: Rotorua Daily Post

Topic: Pensioner Housing

Inquiry

I am doing a story on rental housing options for the elderly in Rotorua and have some questions as concerns have been raised [by Grey Power] that there are not enough affordable options.

-Does Council have any rental pensioner flats or housing options available for elderly people?

-How many flats, houses etc does the Council have and where are they?

-What is the criteria to get into the housing?

-What are the rents?

-Is there a waiting list and how many are on it?

-Are applications still being accepted for this waiting list?

-Are there any plans to sell this housing portfolio or increase it?

-Has Council carried out any research or is it aware of any research to do with the housing situation in Rotorua at the moment and what does that show?

-What is Council's responsibility when it comes to housing or should it be a government issue?

Response

From Mayor Steve Chadwick:

"Local housing pressures are of concern and Council is working on a number of fronts in collaboration with others.

"We are exploring the potential for a community trust to provide pensioner housing and think that could become the umbrella for wider social and affordable housing provision in Rotorua. There is interest and the next step is officially identifying potential partners and service models.

"Council is also part of the local Homeless Action Plan collective with MSD, Lifewise and other social service organisations and Council obviously has a role in terms of zoning and consenting. Meanwhile, the new Rotorua Housing Accord will enable some fast-tracking of processes - encouraging people to progress with development plans is another important piece of the puzzle because new builds free up other housing.

"We will also encourage and support affordable housing developments and iwi aspirations to develop papakainga housing and will continue lobbying for investment in infrastructure like roading to provide further incentives for development.

"Social housing in particular is complex and requires a central Government approach. Council and other agencies have a role to play but we don't have the funding or expertise to be a provider beyond what we currently do. We also have no direct influence on pricing but some of the work being done has the potential to impact on that."

INFO RE PENSIONER HOUSING

Rotorua Lakes Council has 152 flats in 5 complexes in Glenholme, Fenton Park, Westbrook and Ngongotaha. About half are studio units, the rest one-bedroom units.

Rent per week ranges from $83.40 to $124.30 for a single person and from $121.70 to $156.30 for couples and compare favourably against other districts.

To be eligible for pensioner units people must:

• Be a New Zealand citizen or hold New Zealand Permanent Residency
• Be 60 years of age or older and reliant on a benefit , or
• Be 55 years and over and reliant on a sickness benefit
• Be retired from full time work
• Have assets of less than $25,000 for a single applicant and $45,000 for a couplethis includes the value of any major asset sold within 5 years of applying
• Have an income of less than $25,000 for a single applicant and $45,000 for a couple.
• Be in need of long-term accommodation
• Capable of living independently

Turnover is low and because the wait time can be over a year the waiting list, currently at 40, has been closed off. People are instead referred to the MSD social housing register. It is important people are listed there to give Central Government a better idea of local need.

Council has sold no pensioner units in recent years and has no current plans to sell any or purchase more.

RESEARCH

A review of Rotorua district housing data undertaken a year ago confirmed some trends including:

• Increasing under-supply of affordable rental options due in part to a decrease in investment property purchases;
• Significant increases in the price of lower-value homes impacting negatively on affordability for lower income groups;
• Affordability has become an increasing challenge for middle-income as well as lower-income groups;
• About two thirds of Rotorua's housing stock is between 30 and 60 years old;
• About 1% of Rotorua's population are estimated to be "severe housing deprived" which means they are either without habitable accommodation, living in non-private accommodation (eg camp grounds) or temporarily living in private accommodation (with family or friends).