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Working Group to Focus on Affordable Housing
Friday, 26 October 2012
The formation of a Housing Working Group aimed at boosting affordable housing supply was approved by the Earthquake Recovery Committee at its meeting on Tuesday.
The group will be formed in response to the housing needs of earthquake affected Waimakariri District residents, the recent reduction in rental housing in the District and declining housing affordability.
Uncertainty about the accommodation situation for Residential Red Zone households who are yet to settle or vacate is also a concern, prompting Council to look to the working group for advice.
In a report to the committee, Council’s Recovery Manager, Simon Markham, recommended the group be made up of representatives from organisations with direct involvement and influence in the housing sector, as well as two Council representatives including Waimakariri District Mayor David Ayers.
The Housing Working Group is tasked with identifying and considering the scale and nature of the need for housing in the Waimakariri District now and in the future. It will look closely at social, supported and affordable rental and home ownership sectors, as well as Government initiatives already in these areas and how these may impact the District.
In addition, the group will look at successful housing business models developed by community housing providers elsewhere in New Zealand and make recommendations on initiatives that Council could advocate for and support with regard to providing additional affordable housing stock.
“The focus of this working group will be on providing leadership and advocacy on solutions to be found across the wider community,” Markham says. “The Council has a long standing involvement in providing housing for the elderly with limited means and does this at no cost to ratepayers.”
Support for the Housing Working Group will be provided by a staff team with representation from a range of Council staff and organisations in the District involved with housing needs and issues.
Further information:
Simon Markham
Recovery Manager
Phone: (03) 311 8900 ext. 8837
Email: simon.markham@wmk.govt.nz
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