Housing strategy sets out ways to address housing shortage
Published on 16 September 2019
Whanganui District Council’s Housing Strategy is now available.
The strategy was adopted by the Statutory Management Committee on behalf of the Council on 30 July 2019.
The strategy sets out how housing is to be planned for Whanganui’s long-term future, as well as ways of addressing the current housing shortage.
The Council’s Policy and Governance Manager, Stephanie Macdonald-Rose, says, “Although the strategy was written by the Council, implementing it will require the whole community to work together.
“The guiding principles of the strategy are to demonstrate leadership, work in partnership, support good housing for everyone, and future-proof the needs of our people and district.”
She says a broad cross-section of stakeholders were consulted during the development of the strategy. This included iwi, the property sector, community health workers, builders, developers, architects, real estate agents, Corrections, young people and many others with an interest or expertise in our community’s housing needs.
“In addition, 38 submissions were received via the Council’s formal consultation process, with 12 submitters choosing to present their views to Council. As a result of this feedback some changes were made to the strategy, particularly in terms of being clearer about the ways in which the Council will partner with the community to achieve the vision.
“While the strategy is the Council’s, it’s going to take a collaborative effort to achieve results with lots of stakeholders contributing where they can. This might include such things as cheap housing options, provision of short-term accommodation, freeing up land, applying for funding, taking a fresh look at underused buildings or making things easier for people who just want to 'get on and do it' in safe and sustainable ways,” says Stephanie Macdonald-Rose.
“The Council will now develop an action plan that we will work on with iwi, community agencies, developers and other stakeholders. Our vision is for everyone in Whanganui to have housing opportunities and a great neighbourhood to live in.”