6 May 2021
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Emergency housing (Ambassador motel)
Enquiry
Hi team, I've been approached by some members of the public who are upset the lease on the Ambassador Motel on Whakaue St has been sold and the new owners, Amber Ou, from the Fernleaf Motel in Rotorua has taken it over and intends to run it for social housing/accommodation for the homeless.
I'm in the process of trying to contact Amber Ou and find out what sort of contracts they have in mind. MHUD has told me they aren't involved but MSD is yet to get back to me.
The people I have spoken to so far don't want to go on record but tell me they council will be lobbied over this, given the Government and the council is spending millions on redeveloping the Lakefront. They say this isn't a good look for Rotorua having homeless people living nearby in the Ambassador Motel (their words).
They say there will be people who will approach the council to stop the homeless being housed in the motel given it could be a breach of the district plan.
I'm sorry the details are sketchy on this so far and I'll update you more as I contact more people
Hopefully there won't be more questions, but so far can you please answer the following question in line?
- Is the council aware of the change of lease and the intentions of the new owner?
- Has the council been approached to put a stop to it under the RMA?
- What is the council's reaction to the concerns about the "look" for Rotorua and the proximity to the new lakefront development?
Subsequent
I’ve just spoken to Amber Ou who is taking over the lease of the Ambassador Motel on Whakaue St and she’s outlined the intentions.
She is saying they will put “WINZ clients” in there but she said she plans to only take women with children, no single men.
She said she will ensure there are “no bad people” and they intend to do that until the borders open and visitors return.
MHUD and MSD have got back to me and confirmed they don’t have planned contracts with the motel (ie transitional housing) so it’ll be done similar to other motels that run emergency housing.
Hope that helps.
Can I please add to question #2 and ask if the council will also consider putting a stop to it themselves based on concerns around the district plan.
Response
Re initial enquiry: The reporter was informed that council was not in a position to comment without confirmation of the facts, which we did not have, and was asked to get back to us once she had that confirmation
Subsequent response provided following provision of further information by reporter:
From CE Geoff Williams:
Council is very concerned about homelessness in Rotorua and very aware of the wider community’s concerns relating to homelessness.
We are working urgently on multiple fronts to get solutions we need to support and benefit both those in need of housing, and our wider community.
We have already seen some people making unilateral decisions to establish accommodation for the homeless without regard to the effects of their proposals. In my view that is extremely unwise and it is something that council is currently focussing on.
We were made aware of concerns in the community regarding the Ambassador motel but had no confirmed details. If there were to be any regulatory intervention, Council would deal directly with the leaseholder and/or owner.