11. LESLEY SOPER (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister of Housing
What recent announcements has she made regarding partnerships between the Labour-led Government and territorial authorities?
Hon MARYAN STREET (Minister of Housing) Link to this
Yesterday I opened Whakahoa Village in Christchurch, which will provide 20 modern, affordable homes. This fantastic $5 million project was jointly funded by the Labour-led Government and the Christchurch City Council. This is a great example of how this Government and territorial authorities are working together to make housing more affordable.
What other initiatives have been developed in partnership with territorial authorities to encourage the establishment of more affordable housing?
Hon MARYAN STREET Link to this
On Tuesday the Affordable Housing: Enabling Territorial Authorities Bill was introduced, which gives territorial authorities the tools they need to help keep homeownership as part of the Kiwi dream. This is one of a number of initiatives that this Government is considering. Unlike National, we understand that the solution to housing affordability is more complex than slashing environmental controls and selling off State houses.
Pita ParaoneTēnā koe, Madam Speaker. Is the Minister concerned that the bill as it stands could possibly have the effect of making the majority of housing less affordable, while making a small number of houses more affordable?
Hon MARYAN STREET Link to this
No, I am not. It will take more devices than this bill only to pop the housing affordability bubble. But there is no sustainable evidence for us to infer that this will make housing more unaffordable; quite the reverse is true.
Gordon CopelandIs the Minister planning any further announcements aimed at removing zoning interventions by territorial authorities, such as Auckland’s metropolitan urban limit, with a view to increasing the supply of land for new housing, thus reducing section prices and wrong-footing greedy land bankers?
Hon MARYAN STREET Link to this
The issues to which the member alludes are really quite problematic. In fact, we have to consider as a country whether we want to perpetuate urban sprawl, or whether some greater density of housing is a more appropriate and environmentally sensible way to proceed with affordable housing.