About us
Foreword: Board Chair
Over the past five years, the Corporation has focused on broadening responses across the whole social housing sector, rebuilding social housing and recognising that we are responsible for more than just state houses.
The next five years will be no less challenging. We must achieve excellence in our performance and continue to ensure we give our best to our customers. The Corporation will continue to adapt to changing government expectations. As we do so, we will also need to manage the challenges and risks associated with those expectations and make reputation management a priority.
Our areas of focus for 2008/09 and beyond represent a significant evolution from the past. We have moved from being an organisation largely focused on managing properties and tenancies to one that takes a more people-driven, tailored and sustainable approach to the needs of individuals and communities.
The Corporation is broadening its role beyond that of a social landlord/property manager to being a catalyst for community development. We are now working across sectors to develop healthy and economically sustainable communities in areas of high social need. This is not just about serving people in our portfolio of houses, but includes supporting all people with the highest needs to find appropriate housing solutions.
To address the increasing demand for social housing and the scarcity of land, the Corporation is taking a more active property development role, such as the creation of an integrated, mixed-tenure community in Hobsonville. The Corporation also recognises that innovative solutions will only be created through strong partnerships with Māori, Pacific peoples and the non-government housing sector.
Getting the balance right between investment in new acquisitions, and the modernisation and reconfiguration of an ageing portfolio, will be critical. To ensure the right investment balance, we need to make extensive use of our waiting list information to accurately determine the demand for our houses, both now and in the future.
Affordable housing is an important factor in people's wellbeing. For lower-income households especially, high housing costs relative to income often leave households with insufficient income to meet other basic needs such as food, clothing, transport, medical care and education. This area of focus recognises the contribution the Corporation can make to the Government's affordable housing interventions.
The Corporation has risen to the many challenges that have come our way. My colleagues on the Board and I are confident that the Corporation can continue to make a difference to the lives of many New Zealanders.
Pat Snedden
Chair
