There’s no easy solution to the housing crisis we face, but we all know this is a man-made crisis, one that followed decades of failed policies and practices.

People as old as I am (mid 70s) remember a time when there was no such thing as homelessness. Food banks, now a necessary institution, were unknown, writes Whakatāne Housing Action Reform Enthusiasts’ Ruth Gerzon

During the last Labour government, it seemed that we might begin to make progress and my spirit lifted as I saw so many new state houses being built in our towns, but that progress soon slowed with the incoming coalition.

The situation is complex and needs to be tackled on many fronts, by many agencies and organisations.

For this reason, it was heartening to see a variety of people come to the WHARE (Whakatāne Housing Action Reform Enthusiasts) recent public meeting.

Phoebe Carr, a local advocate for the national organisation Public Housing Futures, talked about the need for, and benefits of, state housing.

She noted that 254 families in the Eastern Bay are on the waitlist for housing.

She called for the Government to build the cancelled Kāinga Ora housing in Whakatāne and build sufficient housing to address the waitlist.

She has started a petition entitled “Keep building state housing in the Eastern Bay of Plenty!” and encouraged the audience to sign this.

WHARE member Bea Maksimovic explained how inclusionary zoning and community trusts have been successful in promoting affordable housing in Queenstown.

For-profit developers who apply to rezone land for residential/increased density are required to give a percentage of that land, or the equivalent dollar value of that land, for affordable housing.

The land or money goes to a community land trust or community housing provider.

Whakatāne District Council’s Nicholas Woodley noted that staff had put forward this for the District Plan but were now waiting for the Resources Management Act changes to be finalised before any changes could go ahead.

Mike Avery from the council talked about recent national changes to planning rules.

He noted that the National Environmental Standards for Detached Minor Residential Units under the RMA are intended to simplify processes for building minor units such as tiny houses or “granny flats” with a maximum floor area of 70 square metres.

Although the new standards override the district plan, they are limited in scope with a number of requirements that must be met before being accepted for the process.

He noted that the council was looking to make changes to the district plan that would make it easier to build tiny houses but these were on hold while the government introduced its replacements for the RMA.

Jane Kay’s story was shared, showing change in consent processes cannot come soon enough. Jane bought a small house approved by Auckland Council, worth just over $100,000 and brought down so she could live next to her daughter’s home on the Rangitaiki Plains.

However, she had not anticipated the added work, consents and consultants’ fees required by the Whakatāne council which added over $62,000 and 20 months to the building process.

Kelly Hughes noted that developers and consultants were “giving up” because processes were too complex. He challenged the council to become more helpful and less risk averse.

The meeting divided into groups, of which one looked at homelessness.

Councillor Toni Boynton noted that cuts to social service contracts and mental health providers have reduced the ability to support homeless people. Social services need to be supported to support whānau.

National MP Dana Kirkpatrick welcomed the opportunity to listen and understand the pressures.

She thanked WHARE for its proactive work. The major changes to the RMA will take time to bed in but the intention is to simplify processes and reduce cost. She is keen to keep in touch.

Green MP Tamatha Paul noted that only 2 percent of New Zealand’s housing stock was accessible. Green Party policy is to build more public housing using tax from housing investment or capital gains.

We need to start somewhere, and a housing needs assessment would be a good beginning, ensuring future housing meets the needs of our diverse population, along with consideration of inclusionary zoning.

In 2023 and 2024, WHARE members met often with council staff but there was no substantive change.

Two councillors who attended our recent meeting, Carolyn Hamil and Toni Boynton, are keen to support the kaupapa, possibly with a workshop. Mayor Nandor Tanzcos was unable to attend but I know he is also supportive of action to tackle the housing crisis.

We need some strong willed and determined leadership if we are ever to return to anything approaching the more humane times of my youth.

Maybe this year we will see some concrete action.