Todd Talks By Todd Muller

My recent electorate survey results are very clear – people are welcoming the growth of the region and the significant lift in employment. But they recognise such strong growth will bring challenges – and housing, particularly for those under financial pressure, was highlighted strongly.

Housing provision is an issue that defies the simple sound bite – to say ‘Just build more houses' or ‘Stop people coming to NZ' or ‘Stop people investing in rental properties' is simplistic and doesn't fit NZ's reality. What's needed is, as always, a comprehensive raft of initiatives. It's not a silver bullet solution-type of problem.

There are a number of initiatives that have been put in place to respond to the demand for housing.

Firstly, we have to lift supply. Auckland is now building up to the equivalent of 40 houses a day. Our National Policy Statement, released last week, directs councils to free up land for supply, particularly in high growth areas including Tauranga. The introduction of a raft of special housing zones totalling 12 in our region, will help facilitate faster developments.

There are genuine examples of need here in the Bay and the migration from Auckland has exacerbated the challenge. For Tauranga, the issue is the availability of lower cost housing and emergency housing.

We have significantly increased the number of income-related rent subsidies to best support those most in need. The Government will provide more social housing places through increasing the Income Related Rent Subsidy by 3000 by 2017/2018.

The Budget included an announcement increasing the amount available for emergency housing and grants. For the Bay of Plenty, this will mean 60 places for individuals or families at any one time, for a maximum stay of three months. During a year the emergency housing will provide 240 places for the Bay of Plenty, so this will ensure our most vulnerable families have a safety net.

But we need to keep working on it, the pace of migration to our area and the need demands it. I'm particularly focused on the effect of the proposed transfer of our 1200 Housing NZ homes to a potential buyer here in the Bay. It is critical this works. This has to result in more homes being built, both emergency for the short-term and price accessible in the long-term. In addition, every person currently in those houses have to feel supported through any transition from their current home to a new or refurbished option.

I think our approach is the right one. It combines a number of initiatives that together will make a difference.