4 September 2017

Media: Rotorua Daily Post

Topic: Tresspassing homeless

Inquiry

We have been told by Reynold Macpherson that homeless people have been trespassed from Kuirau Park. As background, he is saying given the city's shortage of emergency housing and rental properties, it is wrong of the council to issue these notices.

I note this has been something the council has always done (story from 2009 provided) for varying reasons but we need to check if this is still the case.

1. Does the council still issue trespass notices to homeless people

2. Why? What sort of problems do they cause?

3. Has there been fewer notices issued given the housing shortage?

4. How many notices have been issued this year?

Response

See below information in response to your inquiry re homeless:

• Council does not routinely trespass homeless people.
• Council does not provide emergency housing. The lead agency for social and emergency housing is the Ministry of Social Development (MSD).
• Trespass notices issued by police on behalf of Council from time to time are related to people's behaviour. These notices have nothing to do with homelessness.
• During the past six months or so five individuals have been trespassed from the Government Gardens due to behaviour.
• Council is part of the Homeless Action Plan group in Rotorua, a collective which includes MSD, Lifewise and other organisations which provide social services. This group is working on long-term solutions.
• Council is also exploring the potential establishment of a local social housing trust.
• Pensioner housing provided by Council is not emergency housing. The waiting list is currently closed off because turnover is low and we don't want to raise expectations. People are instead referred to agencies like MSD.

Further question

Are you able to give us more details about the housing trust? How it would work/who would benefit etc?

Further response

• Council is exploring options for partnering with others to provide pensioner housing services and it's envisaged such a trust could extend its scope to also include other social and affordable housing services.
• Council has met with agencies and groups to discuss options and gather information and the next step would be officially identifying potential partners and service models.

Below is an item from our website from coverage of December 2016 Strategy, Policy & Finance Committee hui which includes a link to the initial report that went to elected members. The proposal was subsequently supported in principle by the full Council.

Community Housing Partnership

Strategy, Partnership and Finance Committee members welcomed a proposal to investigate and develop a business case for establishing a community housing trust.

Partnering with other organisations to form a community housing provider trust would provide options to finance and increase quality social housing for older people in Rotorua.

Council currently provides 152 housing units in five locations for older people who meet age, income, asset and independent living criteria for pensioner housing.

You can read more about the reporton page 41.

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Media: Rotorua Daily Post

Topic: Potential MPs for Rotorua

Inquiry

Based on the latest poll results, Rotorua may have 4 MPs following the election - we're interested in knowing what Steve thinks that might mean for the district.

What do you think having so much representation (and representation which may be in opposition to one another) has the potential to offer or create here?

Do you think it would be a good thing? Why or why not?

What areas do you think it has the potential to impact the most, either negatively or positively?

Response

See below from Mayor Steve Chadwick:

Council is happy to work with all local MPs to help us progress the district's long-term goals. As our population and economy continues to grow, we need more Central Government support to address local issues like housing and for infrastructure like roading and wastewater. Having another MP advocating on behalf of Rotorua could only be a good thing.