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Friday 13 November 2020
Bay’s housing crisis revealed
Broken dreams: Finding an affordable, secure home to buy or rent in Golden Bay is proving to be impossible for many. Photo: Jo Richards. JO RICHARDS
A current survey is revealing the chronic lack of affordable, secure housing options in Golden Bay. But is also providing useful data that could help to solve the crisis – one the Bay’s biggest social problems. Organised by Pohara resident Chris Bennett, the survey aims to gather information on the challenges faced by those in the Bay seeking to rent or purchase property. Chris says that the data backs up anecdotal evidence about the scale and serious nature of the issue. “We’ve all heard stories about the challenges faced in the Bay, and there have been a number of stories published, but there was little current data showing the situation.” The survey, which closes on 15 November, has already provided some sobering insights (see box right). Chris believes the survey clearly reveals just how hard it can be to find accommodation in the Bay, pointing to data that show it took an average of 7.8 months to find permanent accommodation, and 5.3 months for temporary accommodation. However, as bad as this may seem, it masks the fact that people have been looking for an average of
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10.2 months without success. The feedback on what people said they could afford to pay for renting and purchasing a home is of particular interest and concern to those hoping to provide a solution to the Key points from housing survey • Almost two-thirds of the 72 respondents have stayed in rental accommodation which was either not formally consented, or would not meet the Government’s “Healthy Home” standards. • Over one-quarter have been homeless – many for extended periods of time, particularly over summer. • Three-quarters of those eligible for MSD housing were not provided accommodation. • Almost half of renters considered themselves “vulnerable” where the landlord took advantage of their situation. • Many people have to move regularly. housing crisis. The data indicates that almost one-third could only afford a rent below $250 per week, and almost half could only afford
a house with a purchase price of $300,000 or less. This is at a time when median house prices in Tasman District are currently around $650,000. “This clearly shows that we need to come up with a model which will provide affordable rental accommodation targeted at $250 per week,” says Chris. “At the same time, security is important as people should not be forced to move over summer, or fear that they will be homeless.” Housing is also an issue known to be affecting local employers. In a complementary survey, Chris has been asking businesses for their experience with their employees’ accommodation and says he’s uncovered some unpalatable truths. “Two-thirds of the businesses report employees having trouble finding permanent or temporary accommodation. On average, each business had one person looking for permanent accommodation, and almost half of the businesses were aware of their staff staying in unconsented accommodation.” While problems appear widespread across the Bay, a common theme across both... Continued on page 3
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Inside: Armistice Day Movie Review Magnificent mushrooms Rifle shoot THE GB WEEKLY, FRIDAY 13 NOVEMBER 2020
JO RICHARDS
Golden Bay Community Board ventured out to the “wild west” on Tuesday for its monthly meeting. The invitation to Pakawau Memorial Hall, issued by the Pakawau Community Residents’ Association (PCRA) a few months earlier, had been readily accepted, but it was still something of a surprise to see it happening. Those who made their way out to Pakawau were rewarded with some interesting discussion, but also enjoyed a sumptuous morning tea prepared by the ladies of the parish. Public forum As might be expected, there was a healthy turnout from Pakawau residents who raised issues specifically relating to their community as well as a number of wider concerns. Bruce Collings started the ball rolling by seeking to build bridges – or more accurately, re-building the Salisbury swing-bridge. When the historical tourist attraction was destroyed during the great Aorere flood of 2010, Tasman District Council (TDC) ruled out re-instating it, but Bruce believes the time is right to resurrect the crossing. “There is no better time to beg [the Government] for funds … we need to encourage domestic tourism.” Bruce offered to develop costings for the reconstruction and draft a letter to MP Damien O’Connor on behalf of the board, a proposal which the board later accepted. Probably the biggest ongoing issue in Pakawau is the erosion of residential beachfront – and the council’s intransigence over installing rock protection. Instead of sanctioning a sea wall as requested by residents, TDC carries out intermittent sand push-ups. Ann Thompson’s property is one of those affected and she explained that, in 2018, rocks placed at her seaward b ound a r y d e c a d e s a go ha d b e e n removed by council without permission or explanation. As a result, she now suffers from a “new phenomenon” of wind-blown sand accumulating in and around her home, ruining the lawn, damaging external doors and contaminating interior spaces. “Before the rocks were stolen, this was not an issue,” said Ann, who appealed to the council to allow residents to protect their homes. “I ask that progress is made on the beachfront at our cost.” In a discussion later in the meeting, TDC environment and planning manager Dennis Bush-King advised that council had recently held a workshop to examine such issues within the Reserves Act and agreed... Continued on page 7 Rain, Rain, Go Away!! Come again another day
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