New approach to tackle housing woes New approach to tackle housing woes
| Published date | 17 April 2024 |
| Author | Steve Carle |
| Publication title | Whanganui Midweek |
Councillor Kate Joblin says Whanganui has a high number of people on a waitlist for social housing.
“There were at least 318 individuals on the MSD [Ministry of Social Development] housing register in September 2023. This is an increase of 231 per cent from September 2019.”
She says rental affordability is worsening in Whanganui, with an average weekly rent of $433.
“This is growing faster than the rest of the country,” she says.
“In terms of affordability [the amount of household income spent on rent], Whanganui ranks 45th out of 66 territorial authorities.
“Our current housing rental stock is also failing to meet warm dry home standards and this is directly impacting our community’s health and wellbeing.”
Mayor Andrew Tripe says Whanganui’s population is projected to increase from 48,700 in 2022 to 52,981 by 2034 and nationally the older population is expected to increase from 21.5 per cent to 30 per cent by 2048.
“Based on current data, we’re going to need at least 1000 new dwellings over the next 10 years to close the gaps.”
The mayor says the Whanganui District Council wants to grow the existing housing stock and take a more active role in ensuring the community has access to a range of housing choices.
Joblin says: “We’re considering the benefits of establishing a separate social housing entity as a special purpose vehicle to deliver social housing for Whanganui.
“A stand-alone entity would have a dedicated board with the right capability and would be able to register and become a Community Housing Provider (CHP).
“That would enable it to access income-related rent subsidies and operational funding from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, as well as private equity funding or partnership opportunities,” she says.
“We’ve been looking with interest at several different housing models operating successfully across New Zealand, and reviewing these alongside Turley’s report on housing in Whanganui which was commissioned and received 18 months ago,” the councillor says. “In general, the different models all encompass key elements that create sustainable, inclusive and supportive living environments.
“A mixed-housing approach could include various types of affordable social housing, full market price home ownership (which would help fund the trust), first home assisted ownership or rent-to-own programmes, pensioner housing...
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