Local Government New Zealand Conference 2008 covered a wide range of topics
Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) held their annual national conference in Rotorua in late July. The theme of the conference was 'sustainable communities'. The programme included speeches from keynote speakers, and technical sessions and workshops on a number of sustainability-related topics relevant to local government.
Representatives from the Department of Building and Housing included Katrina Bach, Chief Executive, Nigel Bickle, Deputy Chief Executive, Sector Capability Branch, and Malcolm MacMillan, Manager of the Consent Authority Capability and Performance Group.
The conference covered a range of topics from environmental protection to social services. Of particular interest to the Department was the technical session on housing affordability. This session looked at case studies where local authorities have become involved in affordable housing, and also considered other initiatives such as community housing.
Community housing
Community Housing Aotearoa introduced the concept of community housing, which involves housing for a social purpose not based on the state or the market. Community housing, known internationally as 'third sector' housing, aims to deliver housing opportunities and services to the poor and disadvantaged through specific communities.
Providers, such as Habitat for Humanity, Presbyterian Support, and the Wellington Housing Trust, typically partner with private businesses, churches, local/central government agencies and other organisations in local areas. In particular, community housing attempts to work in partnership with Housing New Zealand by giving greater choice to tenants and providing them with more opportunities to participate in management. It also provides a more flexible response to local needs as well as more options for funding.
Proposed affordable housing legislation
Housing New Zealand's Rob Graham spoke on the potential role of local government in providing affordable housing through a proposed new Bill. His presentation noted the declining rates of home ownership in New Zealand, and outlined the current roles of local and central government in providing affordable housing. Rob summarised the intent of the 'Affordable Housing: Enabling Territorial Authorities Bill', which is to:
- require an affordable housing contribution from new developments
- require a variety of house sizes, tenures and costs in a community to be considered
- make restrictive covenants against social and affordable housing invalid.
The proposed legislation aims to provide greater flexibility for territorial authorities (city and district councils) to provide for affordable housing. Under it they would have to do a housing needs assessment and develop an affordable housing policy. Policies must contain guidelines and incentives for developers to make affordable housing easier, as well as eligibility criteria for allocating houses. Council decisions on affordable housing would be subject to the right of appeal in the Environment Court. Restrictive covenants made before the passing of the Bill would remain in force, and further guidance material would be made available to councils.
The Queenstown experience
The Queenstown Lakes District's affordable housing strategy, launched in 2005, featured as a case study. The need for the strategy came from the 30 percent growth in Queenstown's permanent population in the five years up to 2005, the increase in numbers of second homes and apartments, and massive increases in average house prices. A 2004 study found that a high number of new residents entering the district would be unable to afford homes in the district.
The council says the strategy aims to 'increase access to quality, affordable housing that is integrated into the community so as to support the community's outcomes related to the sustainable economic, social and environmental development of the QLDC area.' Key council roles in the strategy included:
- setting overall policy through district plans and long-term community plans
- setting up a Housing Trust to manage and develop the affordable housing, foster partnerships with developers, provide for affordable financing and develop a sound business plan
- increasing land supply
- providing incentives for affordable housing such as rates remission, and easier consenting routes
- finding/providing funding
- managing relations with central government.