Lid’ on emergency housing arrivals in Rotorua

It is not the homeless that invented the social welfare system. They need support rather than being reminded by some they are a hopeless case.

Gallagher said all accommodation providers, including motels and Airbnbs, should be regulated and given standards similar to how the tourism industry was regulated by

Qualmark.

He said the regulations could outline specific expectations and be used by the social housing sector to get a proper pricing structure that was fair to taxpayers.

“It could include ensuring they don’t have a mix of domestic and international guests as well as MSD people and it could insist on wraparound services and help for the moteliers themselves, things like ensuring they have a phone number to ring and get help if they felt unsafe.”

He said it could be regulated that a portion of Government funding needed to be spent on the maintenance of the properties for the betterment of the surroundings.

He pointed out those who were taking on social housing were saving a lot of money in frequent transactions, daily motel cleaning and commercial booking costs.

“It’s not only about what you make, it’s about what you’re saving.”

Gallagher said if there were better eyes over the entire industry, some might opt out and instead put their properties in the rental pool, which would help alleviate the housing crisis.

Gallagher said Rotorua currently “scraped by” in terms of having enough guest beds when there was a big weekend of events.

“When we get up to high summer numbers again there will be a problem.

“Our challenge is not the quantity of properties, it’s the quality.”

Rotorua district councillor Merepeka Raukawa Tait