Making housing affordable
New research on housing affordability in Nelson, Marlborough and Tasman has identified ways for local government, employer and community groups and central government agencies to increase and diversify housing stock in these regions.
The research, led by Motu Economic and Public Policy Research, was jointly funded by the Centre for Housing Research, Aotearoa New Zealand (CHRANZ), the Ministry of Economic Development (from the Regional Initiatives Fund) and the Work and Income regional office for Nelson, Marlborough and the West Coast.
Arthur Grimes of Motu says the research shows Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough require improved access to affordable housing, improvements in housing quality and increases in the supply and diversity of accommodation types. “Ensuring a supply of affordable housing is essential to the economic and social wellbeing of the three areas.”
The research found house prices in the area rose 70% between 2002 and 2004. The surge in population came from increased employment and internal migration (retirees and purchasers of vacation homes) and put pressure on the housing market.
Housing supply (both for owner-occupied and rental properties) has not matched demand, and home ownership rates and housing affordability have declined. It found housing development has been restricted by land availability, zoning, infill and density regulations, lack of infrastructure, natural hazards, the desire for green space and questions over the use of productive farmland for housing.
Solutions suggested by the researchers include changes to planning, infrastructure and transport and to regulations on infill housing and housing density. Others address the needs of migrant workers, support from employers, overcrowding, poor quality rental properties and compliance with codes and consent processes.
For more information contact arthur.grimes@motu.org.nz or terrence.aschoff@chranz.co.nz, or go to www.chranz.co.nz for free copies of the full research report.
