The government’s latest announcement on the pressing issue of emergency housing signals a notable shift towards fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors.
In brief, the government is setting out to end large-scale use of emergency housing by
- Implementing a new Priority One category that will facilitate a fast-track process to house vulnerable families (those with dependent children in emergency housing for longer than 12 weeks) and
- Strengthening and reviewing the qualification and ongoing eligibility criteria for current and future emergency housing applications.
This move signifies a pivotal moment in tackling one of our country’s most significant challenges, and the Auckland Property Investors Association (APIA) welcomes this approach with open arms.
The government’s call for assistance from the private sector, as reported by RNZ this morning, highlights a recognition of the need for a multifaceted solution to the housing crisis. As stakeholders in the property sector, private landlords stand ready to play their part in alleviating the strain on emergency housing services. However, for this partnership to flourish, there are critical adjustments needed in the tenancy landscape to mitigate risks for landlords and ensure a smoother operation.
Support positive risk-taking
Simply put, the current tenancy settings do not promote positive risk-taking and limit housing opportunities for tenants with less-than-perfect track records.
The previous government’s heavy-handed approach to removing the 90-day no-fault termination has significantly reduced the acceptable margin of error for tenant vetting. ‘This myopic attitude towards security of tenure is forcing landlords to over-compensate by only renting to “picture perfect” tenants, leaving those with a chequered past literally out in the cold,’ says APIA general manager Sarina Gibbon. A more balanced tenancy setting will reduce these instances of inadvertent discrimination against...
