About us
Priority four
Lever partnerships with community and private organisations
During 2007/08 the Corporation:
- managed Crown funding to support upgrading Wellington City Council's social housing portfolio
- provided policy advice on the future funding of the non-government social housing sector
- encouraged non-government investors, particularly in the private sector, to invest in social housing
- encouraged local government to continue to provide social housing
- provided a mix of grants and loans through the Housing Innovation Fund.
This priority strengthens the capability of local government, community-based organisations and iwi to provide social housing and other community initiatives.
The financial costs of this priority can be found on this page.
What was achieved
Provide assistance to local authorities, community providers and iwi
Supporting social housing providers offers social and economic benefits. Social housing providers provide services to vulnerable people, including those who need support services. The Corporation supports these providers by providing houses under Community Group Housing, and providing funding to increase and modernise housing through the Housing Innovation Fund.
The Corporation supports Community Housing Aotearoa, a community-based organisation, to connect, support and represent community-based organisations throughout New Zealand. The organisation provides housing to people on low incomes or with special needs. They provide leadership to the sector, networking opportunities for those involved in providing housing, and practical help such as model documents, best practice guidelines and help with legal matters.
The Corporation has been working with the Wellington City Council to develop its plans to upgrade its social housing.
The measure was to provide 60-80 social housing units and the modernisation of 330-350 local government units. This measure was achieved, with 81 extra social housing units and the modernisation of 363 local government units.
Develop a strategic partnership model
The Corporation uses memoranda of understanding as a model to crystallise key relationships with agencies. At the time of printing, there were 20 memoranda of understanding with government departments, councils, incorporated agencies and trusts. These memoranda are regularly reviewed.
The measure was to develop and deploy a model by 30 June 2008. This measure was achieved.
Provide loans to local authorities and community organisations
The Housing Innovation Fund is an important step towards growing the social housing sector. The Fund's aim is to encourage community-based organisations, iwi and local government to expand their role as providers of sustainable, long-term housing by offering loans and advisory support.
The measure was to approve $12.014 million in loans through the Housing Innovation Fund. This measure was achieved. Although the full amount of $12.014 million was drawn down, two loans amounting to $0.169 million were completed under budget and the underspent amounts refunded to the Crown. This resulted in an actual spend of $11.845 million.
Looking ahead
Local authorities, community-based organisations and iwi are important partners to help provide and finance social and affordable housing for New Zealanders. The Corporation will improve links with providers of emergency and community housing, such as the Ministry of Social Development and Manukau City Council emergency housing providers, to address issues around emergency housing in South Auckland.
The Corporation will continue to support providers to build capacity to manage and grow their social housing portfolios and provide an appropriate mix of grants and loans through the Housing Innovation Fund.
In Tamaki, the Corporation is working with other government agencies, local government and the community on a business case to support a 20-year plan to transform the community. This work will build on the upgrading of the Corporation's social housing.
