Housing solution on our doorstep?
The Auckland affordability housing problem is the hottest talked-about issue in the country.
It did not just miraculously develop overnight but gradually gained momentum during the previous three years. And as a consequence, young families cannot afford to buy their first home.
We have all witnessed many vulnerable families, particularly in South Auckland, evicted from their rented accommodation because they cannot keep up with the enormous weekly rent and in most cases the rent exceeds their weekly income.
Some of those evicted moved in with relatives in already overcrowded houses, garages or motels while others had no option but to live in their cars.
There are many reasons why Auckland finds itself with an unaffordable housing situation.
One is the simple economics of supply and demand where the supply of houses cannot satisfy the demand therefore the price escalates. Investors and speculators are having a feeding frenzy. The number of people needing housing has grown so rapidly that the seams have started to break. The result is homelessness. And on the flipside, the wealthier suburbs, where the house valuations start at million dollars, grow richer thus exacerbating inequality and social divisions.
The Government, despite criticism of its ineffective social housing policy, has managed to deflect most critics by shifting the blame elsewhere.
Surprisingly, it took a well thought-out housing policy released by the Labour Party for the Government to change its tune and switch to damage control mode. Its Housing NZ dividend policy was reversed overnight, aligning its policy to that of Labour.
And now the Counties Manukau District Health Board is calling for a public consultation of how to utilise 10.85 hectares of land at the Manukau SuperClinic site which is surplus to its requirement. In this instance I suggest dropping the consultation process and selling the land to the Government at market value. The council should come to the party by waiving its costly consenting process so building can begin immediately. It is estimated that 250 houses can be built on this site.
The Government should then regulate to allow a one-off agreement specific to this site where 80 per cent of the houses are social housing and 20 per cent are sold into private ownership with prices capped at $450k to $500k.
Now that is affordable housing right there!
MOTEPAHULU Mote Pahulu JP, is a political analyst who lives in Manurewa. To make a submission on the SuperClinic land, write to the Chief Executive, Counties Manukau Health, Private Bag 94052, Manukau, Auckland 2241 before 5pm August 5.