An action plan which aims to ensure members of the community can access quality, secure, stable, and affordable housing was approved by councillors at a meeting last week.

The Joint Housing Action Plan (JHAP) is a multi-agency approach, created by Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) in partnership with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Kāinga Ora, and Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust. 

“Given the complexity of housing issues, and the district’s unique challenges, partnering with central government and the Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust significantly widens what we’re capable of addressing,” mayor Glyn Lewers said.

The action plan features nine housing solutions which largely focus on the less-visible, but-vital levers and regulations that influence the building and availability of housing, he said.

Solutions include exploring public-private partnerships, buying and developing land, seeking rental solutions for the district’s workforce, and continuing to support and amplify Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust’s work.

The JHAP was generally well received at Thursday’s (August 10) full council meeting, although councillor Nikki Gladding raised some concerns.

Because housing isn’t “squarely in [council’s] remit,” she questioned how effective the JHAP could be, and said she was concerned the cost of implementation would fall to ratepayers.

Key performance indicators (KPIs) have been drafted into the plan to measure success and Nikki successfully recommended an additional motion to update councillors on progress every year.

The topic of the JHAP came up again later in the meeting, when councillors discussed including Lake Hāwea South in the Urban Zoning Variation (which would allow for higher density in the newly-designated urban area).

Read more: Hāwea South to be included in new urban intensification zone

Councillor Lyal Cocks said since councillors had approved the JHAP if they went on to fail to support another project to improve housing affordability and supply that would be “inconsistent and hypocritical”.

The variation was narrowly approved by councillors in a 6-5 vote.

The draft JHAP was presented to the community earlier this year and 71 percent of respondents were either supportive or neutral. 

It will next be presented to the Grow Well Whaiora Governance Group for endorsement.

The JHAP’s nine actions are:

1. Form a clear, evidence-based understanding of the district’s housing issues and regularly monitor key indicators.
2. Realise opportunities to purchase and develop land for the provision of affordable housing in the Queenstown Lakes District.
3. Enable affordable housing choices through legislative and other tools.
4. Continue to support and amplify the work of the Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust and other providers through various means.
5. Influence and incentivise developers to provide affordable housing.
6. Focus on rental solutions for the district’s workforce in collaboration with the community.
7. Further developer public/private partnerships to deliver affordable housing and choice.
8. Implement National Policy Statement on Urban Development changes and review District Plan to enable more affordable housing and choice.
9. Design and implement structure plans (frameworks to guide the development or redevelopment of an area) with the community.

PHOTO: Wānaka App