9 August 2024

Media: Rotorua Daily Post

Topic: Affordable housing

Enquiry

I am working on an article about access to affordable rentals in the Bay of Plenty and looking at the Rotorua side.

I was hoping to get comment from the Mayor regarding this issue.

Also hoping to request comment abut the Rotorua Housing Accord, the latest resource I could find about this online was this link: Rotorua Housing Accord - supporting information.pdf (rotorualakescouncil.nz)

Are there updated comments available about where the Housing Accord is at when it comes supply for middle to low income earners?

Basically a report released through Child Action Poverty Group, done by Researcher Greg Waite, has found significant declines in affordable rentals for low-income working families in 12 out of 16 regions between 2018 and 2023.

They found that the decline of access to affordable rental properties in the Bay of Plenty was -11% this is one of the regions to experience a high decline in access to affordable homes.

Could I please request a comment from council about why this has occurred in Rotorua and what is being done to balance out low-access homes for those who need it?

Are there enough new affordable homes to keep up with population changes in Rotorua and Bay of Plenty (I am writing about both regions )?

Are those homes affordable for middle-income families and low-income families?

Are we replacing affordable old homes with high-end redevelopment in Rotorua and Bay of Plenty ?

Is more social housing needed as private affordability declines in Rotorua and Bay of Plenty ?

Response

From Rotorua Mayor, Tania Tapsell:

“Rotorua desperately needs more affordable housing, it’s hard right now for low and middle income families to afford to rent and buy homes. Housing has become a top priority for Council, and we’re working hard to help unlock land for more homes for locals and also attract new workers to our district.

“It’s been a massive effort but we’ve delivered solutions like adopting the Future Development Strategy and Intensification Plan Change to ensure we’re meeting local needs. We’re also working on removing consenting barriers and making it easier to build secondary dwellings and smaller, more affordable homes, on smaller parcels of land. And we’ve improved planning rules to support things like papakainga developments.

“Rotorua has had exciting successes recently such as the Ōwhata Kōhanga Rākau housing development which provides new, healthy and affordable homes for locals. And also around 1400 new homes should be delivered through the Manawa Gardens and Wharenui Rise developments.

“In April, Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka confirmed the Rotorua Housing Accord was no longer fit for purpose and needed to be reviewed in light of the new Government’s priorities and commitments.

“Through our Rotorua Housing Accord we’ve seen a 64% reduction in emergency housing motels from October 2022 to June 2024. To solve these issues long term we need more homes and Government support. So, I wrote to Housing Minister Chris Bishop seeking a Rotorua-led housing plan to deliver quick and positive progress to boost affordable housing supply in our district. This would also support the Government’s Going for Housing Growth programme.”

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Media: Mediaworks (radio)

Topic: Homelessness

Enquiry

Is it possible to please arrange a pre-recorded phone interview with Tania on Friday to discuss a couple of topics facing the city?

The topics are:

- Homelessness in the CBD issue/update on issue of people pitching tents on CBD footpaths.

- What effect the upcoming gang laws will have on the town and gang dominated suburbs.

- Update on youth unemployment in the town and what's being done to help reduce it.

This would be for our radio news bulletins.

Response

Mayor Tania Tapsell was interviewed this morning in relation to homelessness. Her messaging included:

• Heard residents’ concerns about those choosing to sleep rough, pitch tents, and loitering in shop fronts.
• Disruptive to workers nearby and not a reflection of the top tourism destination we are.
• Council is working alongside our community safety partners like Police to assist these people in to better situations and our collaborative approach has been effective.
• People sleeping rough are offered assistance to connect to support services (Te Pukapu, MSD, other NGOs etc) and are advised of holiday parks and sites where camping is permitted.
• Fortunate in NZ that housing and other support and assistance is available. Do our best to encourage people to take up the services that are there to help them.
• Where someone refuses to move on or consistently sets up a tent on a footpath, they can be trespassed by Police or Council’s Safe City Guardians.
• Council has been advocating for and actively investing in range of improvements to decrease social issues in Rotorua and improve community safety.
• We’re providing local solutions that work.
• Seen a rapid reduction in CBD crime since establishing the community safety hub – this has been providing a more visible and collaborative approach to CBD crime and is a better use of community safety partners’ limited resources.
• Seen a significant reduction in EH Motels which has helped.
• In regards to those who choose homelessness – a holistic approach is needed to ensure these people get the full support they need.
• Have amazing mental health and addiction services here but they need better support and investment from Govt.
• Everyone deserves a safe and healthy home and to be enabled to enjoy our great Rotorua community.
• Would encourage Govt to deploy resources based on where they are most needed.

Councils are doing their best with limited resources but would always advocate for more wraparound support services to ensure people are receiving a full range of support in a timely manner.