Todd McClay: New unit, partnerships will boost housing

As another winter starts to bite, the need for affordable, warm housing solutions is never more apparent.
Rotorua, like many of the colder parts of the country, is starting to hunker down for the shorter days and colder mornings ahead.
We have made progress in the Government's provision of social housing needs. More than 11,200 state homes have been upgraded and repaired, and high-value houses in areas of low demand have been sold to fund the purchase of houses where they're needed most.
In Rotorua, Housing New Zealand committed to insulating and heating all state houses that needed an upgrade and I am assured that this work will be completed this year. Welcome news for winter!
Unfortunately the Government has inherited a state housing model that was simply not working. Despite record levels of investment, waiting lists were static around the country.
There was not enough housing stock in areas of high demand, too much in areas of low demand, and a good proportion of state housing was in poor condition or the wrong type that is required, meaning that tenants are not getting the standard of accommodation that is required.
The challenge that the Government faces is ensuring that those who are in need have access to affordable housing that is best suited to their needs.
We are committed to the provision of good quality, social and affordable housing that meets the needs of tenants for the duration of that need.
So $40 million has been set aside to grow social housing provision over the next year and the new Social Housing Unit will play a major part in how that money is spent.
The new semi-autonomous Social Housing Unit (SHU) will provide third sector groups with funding, land or housing stock to help them create affordable social housing.
The SHU was created in response to one of the key recommendations from the Housing Shareholders Advisory Group.
It will operate out of the Department of Building and Housing but will have direct reporting responsibilities to ministers. A ministerial advisory panel will oversee the establishment of the SHU.
The panel will advise ministers on the unit's progress and progress with social housing reform.
The list of third sector organisations that have indicated they want to play a greater role in the provision of social housing include Habitat for Humanity, which has built houses in the Rotorua area, and iwi-funded initiatives, such as the housing being built out at Lake Rotoiti. It has been shown that up to $3 of housing has been delivered for every dollar of government funding with some third sector organisations - this is excellent value for money.
Moving responsibility for third sector funding out of Housing New Zealand means it can more closely focus on creating a system that allows more tenants in high need to be housed more quickly in homes that meet their needs.
It is this sort of partnership between central Government and other organisations that will help provide New Zealand with a more sustainable and responsive social services model. It means that the Government can concentrate on ensuring resources are allocated in the right areas, and leave the management of those resources to focused organisations.
I had a chance to join with Habitat for Humanity organisers in Rotorua to build one of their properties, and I applaud their approach. Their solid understanding and excellent networks means they are able to provide a cost-effective and relevant solution to local housing requirements, and it's a clever move to work alongside organisations such as theirs.