Debate Argument in Support of Option 1: Retain Our Current Approach

Introduction: The debate surrounding the proposed changes to the Housing Reserve Fund is critical as it impacts the future direction of housing support in Nelson. The current approach, as outlined in Option 1, focuses on supporting partners capable of delivering social and affordable housing solutions. This approach has garnered significant support from the community, as evidenced by the comments received during the consultation process.

Argument 1: Effectiveness of Current Strategy Many residents believe that the current strategy of the Housing Reserve Fund is effective and should continue. Comments highlight the success of ongoing social housing projects and the importance of continuing these efforts. The community values the structured approach that targets social and affordable housing, ensuring that funds are used effectively to address these specific needs.

Argument 2: Scope and Expertise Several comments express concerns about the council expanding its role into areas where other organizations, particularly NGOs and central government, already have established expertise. The sentiment is that housing for the vulnerable should remain the responsibility of these entities, which are better equipped to manage such specialized needs. This delineation ensures that each organization can focus on its strengths, leading to better overall outcomes for the community.

Argument 3: Financial Prudence and Focus Critics of broadening the fund's purpose argue that it could lead to a quicker depletion of resources, potentially diverting funds away from long-term social and affordable housing projects. The current approach is seen as more financially prudent, ensuring the sustainability of the fund and its impact. Additionally, there is a strong call for the council to concentrate on leveraging the remaining funds to maximize the delivery of affordable housing, which is still a pressing need within the community.

Argument 4: Supporting Established Partnerships The current approach allows the council to work effectively with established partners like iwi trusts and registered Community Housing Providers. This collaboration has been fruitful, and shifting focus could jeopardize these relationships and the progress made. Maintaining these partnerships is crucial for continuing to provide targeted housing solutions to those in need.

Argument 5: Long-term Strategic Planning Comments also emphasize the importance of sticking to long-term strategic planning rather than adopting short-term solutions that might only serve as temporary fixes. The current approach is aligned with strategic goals that focus on building a sustainable supply of housing, rather than diverting funds to potentially less effective solutions like temporary shelters.

Conclusion: The feedback from the community clearly supports retaining the current approach of the Housing Reserve Fund. Residents value the effectiveness, strategic focus, and financial prudence of the existing framework. Expanding the fund's purpose could dilute these efforts and shift focus away from the critical goal of increasing the supply of social and affordable housing. Therefore, it is recommended that the council continues with Option 1, leveraging its resources and partnerships to build on the successes already achieved in addressing housing needs in Nelson.

Comments

Option_Selected	Comment
Option 1	i think the housing going ahead at the moment is fantastic, especially social housing.
Option 1	Social housing can include housing for the vulnerable
Option 1	Best to leave this in the hands of organistions with expertise. Otherwise council inadvertently removes talent from the private / NGO sector.
Option 1	I think empowering those already working in this area is better than the local govt taking charge of this soln which will require alot of subjective judgement calls.
Option 1	just needs more streamlined approach to get quicker results
Option 1	dont see a reason for change
Option 1	Retain the current approach it is not Councils purpose to provide housing it is that of Central Govt.
Option 1	NPHS Te Waipounamu recommends retention of the current approach to support the delivery of social and affordable housing, where applications are open to iwi trusts and those who are registered as not-for-profit Community Housing Providers by the Community Housing Regulatory Authority.
Option 1	Save money for composting and environmental initiatives instead. Support local communities.
Option 1	Not the job of Council to find housing for the vunerable. Thats central Govt role. Leave it to organisations such as Habitat for Humanity, and support them however you can.
Option 1	OPTION 1 … the original purpose for establishing the Fund has not been achieved    and expansion to provide vulnerable housing is unfortunately not appropriate .    Council must concentrate on using  the $12M on affordable housing solutions     where other funding sources including those from those benefitting  can be leveraged.
Option 1	Against broadening the purpose of the Housing Reserve Fund.Support the proposed 50# affordable homes, 50% social housing in the CBD.
Option 1	I dont think it is an issue for council rather it is at a governmental level.
Option 1	Don't rob sound long-term housing planning for band-aid bottom-of-cliff solutions that just allow creaking central government failures to endure.
Option 1	the council should stick to core services to keep rates lower
Option 1	I would like Council to invest in the construction of real housing assets not transfer funds to pay for lease or rental agreements with private property owners.
Option 1	This fund should be used to continue to build homes, Habitat for Humanity and the Nelson Tasman Housing Trust are doing a good job. Broadening the purpose will dilute effectiveness and impact. Housing First should be a priority rather than the re-establishment of Night Shelters. Finland’s Housing First success has all-but eradicated rough sleeping, and led to the decommissioning of hostels and night shelters. It has done this, in part by building new housing stock.
Option 1	Nelson desperately needs more housing especially for vulnerable people. This proposal would significantly help many people who do not have somewhere safe to live. A night shelter for Nelson is desperately needed, with the cost of living crisis, increases in rent and increases in house prices leaving many without a safe place to stay. Broadening the purpose of the fund is an action which would benefit the least supported in Nelson
Option 1	Comment:
Option 1	Option One - so long as it's intensification of the city centre and NOT up Maitai/Kaka Valley/Mahitahi Bayview!
Option 1	Housing Reserve Fund changesTBCA supports Option 1- retain our current approach Council should continue to work with and support suitable partners to deliver social and affordable housing solutions for all who need it.
Option 1	Increase of handouts to introduced persons.  The ratepayers have already trouble looking after themselves.
Option 1	you will never have affordable housing with how the council approachs the building process - the planing and building side of the council is the reason why this place will never progress- it is an old boys network that operates on corruption within the ranks - if you know soemone you get it throuh quickly- if you dont you are put on a cash merry go round and it is used for a money generating tool
Option 1	Proposed Housing Reserve ChangesNTHT has concerns about Council’s preferred proposal (Option 2) and advocates for the current approach (Option 1). We really want to maximise the potential impact of the remaining Housing Reserve funds to deliver more affordable/social housing for Nelson. NTHT has consulted many times with both Nelson City Council officers and elected members over the past three years, working collaboratively to achieve the current, robust framework for the Housing Reserve, which has clear and fair criteria and a simple process.NTHT submits that adoption of Option 2 would dilute the impact of the primary purpose of the Housing Reserve to build local community housing capacity – “to achieve an enduring supply of new social/affordable housing in Whakatū Nelson, delivered by government registered Community Housing Providers (CHPs) and/or iwi trusts, who have a presence in Whakatū Nelson”. Council decided to work with established groups (CHPs and iwi trusts) in order to ensure providers would have sufficient organisational muscle to operate effectively over the long-term. NTHT submits that the Housing Reserve should continue to be focussed on providing additional community and iwi housing for Nelson as this is the primary need – while support for short-term interventions on homelessness is admirable, it would be best to give priority to growing the supply of long-term housing for the currently homeless. International research has concluded that a “housing first” strategy is the most effective way of addressing the homelessness cycle.  Overseas and New Zealand experience has found that homeless shelters are expensive, often unsafe, stop-gap efforts that perpetuate housing vulnerability. Night shelters with dorm-style rooms provide no privacy, tend to concentrate people with high and complex needs, and require people to leave during the day. Studies show that it is far better to focus on developing more, smaller permanent housing units where individuals can reside safely, receive the mental and physical health support they need, and have stability enabling them to develop skills to live independently, further their education and take on employment.  NTHT submits that the Housing Reserve Fund should support areas of need that are not already funded by central Government – The current National Government has committed to put attention into finding and funding solutions for temporary and transitional housing and for addressing the housing needs of households on the Social Housing Register that are in extreme housing stress. This has a slightly narrower focus than the previous Labour administration which, in the latter stages of office, broadened their funding base to include some support for affordable rental housing. As such, there remains a real need to help address the huge demand for affordable, safe and suitable housing for people on low or modest incomes who fall just short of meeting the threshold for Social Housing Register eligibility. The Housing Reserve Fund will continue to be an extremely important way to address Nelson’s needs in this area, and to complement, but not overlap with, the housing support provided by central Government. NTHT submits that expending the Housing Reserve more quickly by supporting homelessness solutions such as temporary shelter could severely threaten the ability of community and iwi housing providers to deliver enduring outcomes - NTHT supports the Housing Reserve’s goals to deliver affordable/social rental housing within 3 years of receipt of grant. This is in the interests of expending the fund as quickly as possible during a time of unprecedented need for affordable rental housing.  NTHT has also appreciated the quick turnaround of NCC’s processes for Reserve Fund applications. However, new housing projects require lead time to identify and acquire suitable sites, and for the appropriate due diligence and feasibility studies for what is a long-term commitment. The concern is that homeless shelters are inherently shorter term in their focus and thus due diligence and feasibility work can be less comprehensive and time-consuming, which means applications for available funds may be much more quickly compiled. They may leave limited, or no, funds left in the pool when community and iwi housing providers are in a position to apply. NTHT submits that the current approach (Option 1) recycles funding to housing in a way that was originally envisaged – proceeds for the fund came from the sale of the Council’s elder persons’ housing to Kāinga Ora. It is understood that, at the time, a benefit of sale was seen to be to support growth of yet more suitable long-term housing for community members in need in Nelson.NTHT Recommendation:  Do not dilute the purpose of the Housing Reserve, keep it focused on delivering an enduring supply of new social/affordable housing, and continue with Option 1.