6 July 2021
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Changes to emergency accommodation in Rotorua
Enquiry
I am seeking a response to the comments made regarding the emergency housing changes in Rotorua
Hospitality NZ Bay of Plenty branch president and Hennessy bar owner Reg Hennessy said people were "pissed off" as the motel shakeup was a way for the Government and council to "buy time".
"It's still 30 motels out of our system," he said, which he believed would start to add up over time.
"I would've thought in the two years they've had, they would have thought of something a little more imaginative than keeping people in our motels."
He said the community and businesses needed to know where the motels were as they needed to know where to recommend people to stay.
And with international tourism still on shaky grounds, he said domestic tourism would once again be crucial for the bread and butter of many
He said the reputation of Rotorua was "destroyed" and was thought of by out-of-towners as a dangerous place, where visitors would ask what time they should be home by.
Housing people in proper housing, and freeing up beds for the tourism industry, was what would change the reputation.
"There are genuine homeless who we all feel for, and it's a shame the Government couldn't fast-track something a lot more practical than just motels," he said.
"Hopefully, if one thing comes out of it, the children are looked after a bit better ... people have been screaming and shouting at them to do something about it.
"Let's hope they've got it right."
- Why was something else other than motels not thought of in terms of the way people are housed in emergency housing?
- Will the council be putting things in place to prevent the number of motels being used as no more than 30?
- Any other comments to the above statements are welcomed.
*NOTE: Reporter indicated that the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (MHUD) and Ministry of Social Development were also contacted for comment regarding this topic
Response
From Jean-Paul Gaston, District Development - Deputy Chief Executive:
Council is well aware of the community’s concerns and that knowledge has helped shape the taskforce’s recommendations that have been approved by the Government, and are now in action.
The Government’s work to contract motels will effectively reduce the number of motels used for emergency housing from 45 to less than 30, will reduce the concentration of effects by distributing the contracted motels evenly across Rotorua, and most importantly, will ensure local whānau will have safe, suitable accommodation while longer-term permanent housing solutions are developed.
The number of units available (excluding motels used for emergency housing and managed isolation facilities) is around 2000 units across the city. This also does not include campgrounds, backpacker type accommodation or private accommodation such as Airbnb. The reduction in emergency housing facilities, and the move to exclusive use, will ensure that people have more clarity about where they can stay when they visit Rotorua.
Any contracted motels will need to be fully assessed against the district plan and we are working alongside the Government agencies, their providers and the moteliers to make sure that process is managed efficiently.