Govt asks for social housing ideas

Opportunities could be opening up for developers interested in the social housing sector as the Government asks for community input on the area.

Monday, September 28th 2015, 9:35PM

by Miriam Bell

Housing New Zealand Minister Bill English

As part of the Government’s social housing reform programme, Treasury and the Ministry of Social Development have issued an official “request for information”.

Housing New Zealand Minister Bill English said the Government was making progress with social housing reform.

“We want more options on how to increase supply and improve the quality of social housing, particularly in Auckland.”

To this end, the Government wants to hear from providers and developers interested in the:

• Transfer or lease of existing Housing New Zealand properties and tenancies for ongoing social housing purposes.

• Redevelopment of land they own, or intend buying for new social housing, or a mix of social and affordable housing, in high-demand areas like Auckland, Christchurch, Waikato, Wellington, Northland and Bay of Plenty.

Social Housing Minister Paula Bennett said they are asking for ideas and suggestions in these areas.

“Other programmes to increase the supply and quality of social housing places are well underway and include the potential transfer of HNZ properties in Tauranga and Invercargill.”

The sale of more HNZ properties would take place over several years – following the Tauranga and Invercargill transfers - should the Government decide to proceed.

Private investors wanting to get involved in the transfer of HNZ properties either have to become a registered Community Housing Provider (CHP) or partner with a registered CHP.

The development section of the request for information does not specify that respondents need to be a CHP.

However, it does ask respondents to detail how the land to be developed would be made available to CHPs.

It also states that the Government is looking for parties who can demonstrate that they can deliver social housing places that meet tenant need and have a positive impact on overall housing supply.

More information can be found here.

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