Council land eyed for housing

Western Bay Mayor Ross Paterson said the big picture was what central government was not doing. Photo / George Novak

Council-owned land in the Western Bay of Plenty could be opened up to help overcome a severe shortage of homes for people with serious housing needs.

The Western Bay District Council's involvement in solving social housing problems was the subject of a special workshop yesterday that included a presentation by the Tauranga Community Housing Trust.

Trust chairwoman Jo Gravitt said it was a complex issue and they were unable to even estimate how many people were living in inappropriate housing.

Trust manager Chris Johnstone said they had achieved a couple of projects with the help of government grants that were now not available. The most recent was construction of 14 units in Clarke St. The trust was also offering medium-term facilities even though it never intended to enter that part of the market. They had taken over the former Salvation Army 14-bed supported boarding house in 4th Ave.

"It is operating at capacity - we could fill it four times over."

And there was such a high demand for a leased house used by women and children that they could fill that four to fives times over, she said.

Mrs Gravitt said although politicians came through looking for photo opportunities, the trust was still saying, who will look after those in the community who can't look after themselves.

Western Bay Mayor Ross Paterson said the big picture was what central government was not doing.

Council policy and planning manager Liz Davies said the increasing demand for social housing was driven by the increasing unaffordability issue.

Tauranga Community Housing Trust chairwoman Jo Gravitt.

Councillor Garry Webber said social housing was not the role of local government but it did own land that could be used for housing. He leaned towards the option of the council establishing an independent body that would become a community housing provider. Tenants could then qualify for the income-related rent subsidy.

Councillor Peter MacKay supported the principle of a public/private partnership to develop social housing.

"I am of that mind too," meeting chairwoman Gwenda Merriman said. Clarke St was a good example of what could be achieved to get a safe and secure environment, she said.

Mr Paterson batted away a suggestion that the council divest its 70 pensioner units to a registered housing provider, saying the council had put aside money in the 10-year plan to upgrade them. The Community Committee called for another workshop to refine the options.

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