Council moves on Affordable Housing in Central Otago

Central Otago District Council considered a range of potential solutions to address the affordability of housing in Cromwell, Alexandra and surrounds at its District Development Committee meeting last week. 

A detailed report was presented by Business Development Manager, Jonathan Gadd. As well as presenting 12 options it also summarised current affordability in Central Otago, national and international trends in local authority involvement in affordable housing and the results of a survey on business attitudes undertaken by the Otago Chamber of Commerce. 

A report produced to order for Central Otago District Council by Statistics New Zealand indicates that 370 households (potentially over 800 people) in Alexandra, Cromwell and the surrounding areas could be affected by the cost of housing. 

The range of options considered ranged from direct involvement by Council in such forms as equity partnerships and land sales through to roles where Council works to facilitate solutions as part of the community. The primary recommendation related to the latter – that Council should play its part in the creation of an affordable housing community group. While Council is concerned with the cost of housing in parts of Central Otago any solution that involves and is lead by the community will be more effective. 

Options that involve costs to the rate payer base in order to help a small group were not supported for further investigation. 

Council decided to support the reports recommendations. Councillor Lynley Claridge was nominated to be the Councils representative on the affordable housing community group. 

Within the next month Council will look to recruit members for the community group. Expressions of interest from members of the public are welcomed.