Assessment of housing stocks a priority

An assessment of housing stocks in the region is a key priority as Waitakere City Council looks at ways to address growing concerns over future availability of affordable housing.

The Affordable Housing Initiatives and Actions Report presented to the council’s Policy and Strategy Committee outlined initiatives and actions the city could take, which if implemented, could improve provision of and access to affordable housing.

These include identifying what housing stock is currently available in the region and its quality, and assessing land owned by council and in trust by Waitakere Properties Limited for possible affordable housing solutions.

Council will also look to lead and strengthen existing partnerships with not for profit housing providers in Waitakere.
The city has already shown its commitment to provide long term provision of affordable housing for the elderly with its 2005 decision to retain its pensioner housing portfolio and by jointly funding, with Housing New Zealand, upgrades of its older adult villages.

Committee deputy chairman Councillor Linda Cooper says council has a role as facilitators for a greater supply of better quality and affordable homes for Waitakere.
“We have a large number of people in Waitakere under 25 years of age who in 10 to 15 years time are going to be looking for a home of their own and there is going to be nowhere for them to live.

“It’s crucial to have those people staying in and working in Waitakere to service the local economy and we have to be able to accommodate them.”

Cr Cooper adds that people should not be frightened by the prospect of medium to high density housing, when it is done well in the right places.

“It is the only way, with the limited supply of land available and a rapidly growing population, that we can accommodate this forecasted growth.”

Waitakere has become increasingly popular among high-income earners and private investors who see the area to have relatively affordable housing compared to other parts of the Auckland region.

Home ownership in Waitakere is around 67 percent, while the median house price in July was about $355,000 and average monthly mortgage payment $2800.

At $330 a week, the median average rent level is not far behind those in Auckland and Manukau so finding affordable rental properties is becoming more difficult.

Other challenges facing Waitakere and the Auckland region are the increasing number of single people continuing to rent in to their forties, overcrowding and the poor condition of some properties.

The Affordable Housing: Enabling Territorial Authorities Bill passed on Friday gives councils new powers to encourage more affordable homes for first home buyers and families on modest incomes are built in their communities.

The Bill aims to give councils tools to stimulate the provision of more affordable housing, where a shortage is identified in their city or district. The Bill is enabling, rather than mandatory.

An example of this could be councils being able to specify that developers set aside a percentage of their new development for affordable homes for first homebuyers, provide an alternative sight for affordable homes or provide financial contributions in lieu of affordable housing.