Chch housing woes studied

An investigation into overcrowding, homelessness and unsuitable living conditions in Christchurch has been kickstarted by a government department.

The Building and Housing Department has confirmed a research project is under way to ‘‘better understand the scope and scale of overcrowding and homelessness in Christchurch’’ as a result of the earthquakes.

An existing staff member was seconded into the role two weeks ago and would compile a report to help the department ‘‘identify the appropriate policy response’’, a spokeswoman said.

The project has met with unanimous support from government officials and welfare agencies in Christchurch.

Salvation Army Major Mike Allwright was confident the project would shed some light on ‘‘major issues in this city, which will leave it hard to deny there is [a] problem here’’.

City Missioner Michael Gorman said the research was a long time coming but would finally provide ‘‘clear certainty to what the reality is for people out there’’.

Tenants Protection Association manager Helen Gatonyi said it was a relief the Government was ‘‘finally taking housing seriously’’.

She believed it was a ‘‘responsible step for the department to take’’ and hoped the researcher would work alongside and listen to the agencies that had already identified the problem.

Labour’s Canterbury earthquake recovery spokeswoman Lianne Dalziel was thankful ‘‘at least one arm of the Government has recognised this is something that must be researched’’.

More than a year ago she submitted a memorandum to the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority highlighting the immediate needs of residents in the east and she felt Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee had ‘‘completely understated the housing problem’’.

‘‘He is in denial about the issue and has been right from the outset,’’ she said.

‘‘I have felt like I have been banging my head against a brick wall for a year now,’’ she said.

Despite Mr Brownlee being ‘‘wilfully blind’’ to the problem, Ms Dalziel said the department’s initiative was ‘‘better late than never and warmly welcomed’’.

She was ‘‘absolutely sure’’ the research would discover a big problem in Christchurch that would be impossible to deny.

Mr Brownlee agreed the project was ‘‘great’’ and said obtaining factual information on the issue would be ‘‘good for everyone’’.

‘‘I’ve always acknowledged there will be housing difficulties for some people but I think if you compare Christchurch to the recent earthquake in Italy ..˜˜. we do not have a housing crisis, we have some housing difficulties for some people,’’ he said.

‘‘Getting factual information about the situation can only be valuable.’’