Concern over the future of tenants in KCDC’s 118 social housing units is mounting as council prepares to receive an external commissioned report on KCDC’s future role as social housing providers, says Districtwide Councillor Jackie Elliott. Councillors have been asked to remain silent and not publicly speculate on the consultant’s recommendations.
Meanwhile, a two year old Mayoral community taskforce report on Kapiti’s Social Housing which contains many options for council, including the leasing of social housing to private providers, continues to gather dust and remains unconsidered. The consultant is supposed to be considering the taskforce findings, but why insist this all happens behind closed doors?
The Mayor has publicly said Social housing is the role of central government not council’s. “If this is his opinion he should say so, as it is definitely not one I share,” says Cr Elliott. “It is also not an opinion shared by the 60 councils providing 12,000 homes across NZ, who two weeks ago voted in support of an Local Government N.Z. remit asking central government to urgently focus on the development and implementation of a broader range of funding tools to assist councils to provide community and social housing including access to Ministry of Social Development rent funding subsidies for eligible tenants.
“This clearly indicates an acceptance of the entire sector to continue to encourage more social housing and meet the housing needs of their communities as property owners and landlords.
“I suggest KCDC management and councilors not rush ahead without a mandate from the public into any abdication of their current role as landlords to some of Kapiti’s most vulnerable people,” says Cr Elliott. “KCDC should be proud of the the long term commitment previous councils have made to build, pay for and provide Kapiti’s publicly owned social housing.”
Written by Cr Jackie Elliott, for further information, please contact:-
Ph 021 0452762
jackie.elliott@kapiticoast.govt.nz
Sounds familiar. Our Horowhenua flats went that route… council promised to sell to a housing provider then sold to a property developer that then partnered with a housing provider. Clever ploy & that lasts til 2030 or thereabouts. Rents have risen once already & incoming tenants have had an additional $10 to rents. Thin end of the wedge & the general trend of council flats throughout NZ as the corporate takeover progresses & people matter less & profits matter more. A sad day really.
If there was a referendum, I would vote to sell them to the Housing Corp.
Seems pointless to have the Housing Corp managing housing along with 331 local councils all with a bit of a dabble.
It would free up the council to pour some more dosh into the Waikanae town center, or pay off some of that pesky debt they have run up.
Major asset sales or acquisitions should be the subject of referenda; however, the council management seem to have decided to sell them off without that little democratic nicety and have asked for a consultant’s report to support that.