Sections

Evaluation findings

The evaluators considered that HIF had laid down a good foundation for the development of a non-government social housing sector, particular for community-based organisations.

A key example of innovation is the establishment of Queenstown Lakes District Community Housing Trust. In 2005, in response to severe housing affordability issues the Queenstown Lakes District Council developed the Housing Our People in our Environment (HOPE) strategy with HIF support. In 2006 HIF provided seed funding to set up the Community Housing Trust to oversee the delivery of affordable housing solutions. The proposed project is for a shared ownership programme targeting key workers of the District who are essential to the local industry but who are difficult to retain because of high housing costs. The District Council is providing infrastructural support and has arranged district plan changes so that a developer can develop 36 house lots. The Trust and the house purchaser will own a house together as tenants in common. Any gains from the sale or 100 percent refinancing of the house by the home owner will be returned to the Trust thus providing it with some sustainability.

Community-based housing

In relation to community-based housing the key findings are:

  • the projects will be financially sustainable over the long term without ongoing financial support from the Corporation, although there is some risk for projects that have been delayed.
  • the sustainability of CBOs in the longer term, and their ability to grow and expand as social housing providers, is uncertain without ongoing support to develop a greater scale of activities
  • the range of mechanisms for delivering assistance to community-based housing partners have become more effective and appropriate as HIF has progressed
  • the key infrastructural elements have been established to support community-based housing (a partnership with the Corporation, setting up CHAI and access to information)
  • key infrastructural elements necessary to support further development have been identified (comprehensive information about the non-government housing sector, a clear vision and strategy, sustainable funding and a supportive regulatory framework).

Community-based housing is not yet sustainable due mainly to its small size preventing economies of scale.

Local government housing

In relation to local government housing the key findings are:

  • HIF has encouraged seventeen local authorities to retain social housing stock by funding the building of new units, and the refurbishment or reconfiguration of existing stock
  • HIF has established collaborative approaches to providing social housing in Queenstown Lakes and Thames-Coromandel Districts between local authorities, CBOs, private and central government
  • Creative and innovative approaches to the delivery of social housing solutions are evident in the examples provided by Queenstown Lakes and Thames-Coromandel District Councils
  • local authorities most commonly target social housing to older people on low incomes, but it is not clear whether these represent the groups in most need

Various local authorities reported that they:

  • would have exited the provision of social housing if not for HIF
  • would not have embarked on the modernisation programmes without HIF support
  • although they will remain in social housing they are unlikely to expand their stocks and role in social housing even with HIF as an incentive
  • are disinclined to become providers of social housing despite the availability of HIF.

Community Housing Aotearoa Incorporated

The evaluation reported that CBOs indicated support for CHAI and the types of roles CHAI is beginning to deliver such as leadership of community based housing, capacity building, and the development of practice standards.  CBOs recognised that CHAI was in the early stages of development.