As the largest residential landlord, with almost 65,000 homes, Housing New Zealand encourages access to affordable, good quality housing to meet demand.
It also provides: funding to encourage local councils, community groups and not for profit groups to increase or develop rental housing; access to affordable rental homes for people
on low incomes; homes for community groups and organisations that also offer residential support services; advice for people with disabilities in need of modified homes; a range of home ownership options.
The Housing New Zealand Community Development Award acknowledges the importance of the government, community groups, not-for-profit organisations and councils to increase social housing. Homes built or modified to meet the needs of the community and not-for-profit sector to high quality standards are eligible in the Housing New Zealand Community Development Award.
Housing New Zealand plans to add some 3000 homes in areas of high demand between 2004 and 2007 at a cost of about $650 million. More than 80 per cent of these homes will be in the Auckland region.
In 2004/05 Housing New Zealand will spend about $33 million modernising older homes and invest almost $17 million on its Healthy Housing Programme.
Housing New Zealand provides up to 1400 homes for community groups and organisations that offer residential support services such as housing for people with disabilities.
Designing and modifying homes for people with disabilities requires skilled input from many people. Chief executive Helen Fulcher says the design of each home is considered independently, taking into account the needs of the residents. For example, some homes require larger bathrooms to accommodate specific physical needs of residents. Others may need wide corridors to allow space to turn 1.8m long wheelchairs.
Housing New Zealand has provided more than $5.16 million to community groups and a local council to support initiatives that will provide housing for more than 70 people. A further 15 community groups and four councils are also working with Housing New Zealand to get Housing Innovation Funding.
