Housing our New Zealand Thomas Simonson

Stephanie McIntyre addresses the following questions:

1.  What is homelessness and why is it important to address?  

2. What is the historical setting for homelessness in New Zealand?

3. How other nations and communities address the issue today?

4. What is the path forward for New Zealand's communities?

Stephanie’s commitment is to end homelessness by thoroughly understanding, gathering evidence about and implementing practical solutions to address the complex issues that underlie homelessness in New Zealand.  Stephanie champions the establishment of ‘harm reduction’ housing as a bold, yet highly effective, accommodation option for the most vulnerable homeless population. Premising her practical and operational experience, Stephanie has a Master’s in Reflective Social Practice from London Metropolitan University

She can be contacted at: director@dcm.org.nz

Kay Saville-Smith discusses, among other issues: 

1. Why does egalitarianism matter in general and particularly for councils? 

2. What is affordable housing and why is it important for councils? 

3. Are there barriers to meet housing needs such as stereotypes and sense of entitlement amongst different social groups or generations? 

4. What can councils do? Kay is a sociologist and director at CRESA, specialising in applied social research and evaluation in housing, public policy and community development. 

Kay has undertaken extensive research into housing markets, housing demand, retirement villages, accessible housing, sustainable housing, the residential built environment and neighbourhood build environments. Kay is committed to and a successful provider of public good research. She has led a number of public good science funded programmes, including: Life When Renting: Enabling Older People's Independence in the Tenure Revolution; Finding the Best Fit: Housing, Downsizing, and Older People in a Changing Society; and the Architecture of Decision-making funded by the Building Better Homes Towns and Cities National Science Challenge.  In 2018 Kay was made a Member of the NZ Order of Merit for Services to Older People's Research and Housing Research. She is currently appointed to the Ministerial Advisory Group on Housing and Urban Development and is a trustee for the Marlborough Sustainable Housing Trust. Previously she has been a council member for the Lifetime Design Foundation Council, a member of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Warm Homes and a member of the Office for Senior Citizens' Independent Advisory Group Reviewing the Positive Ageing Strategy. 

Kay can be reached at 04 3845 921 and at kay@cresa.co.nz www.goodhome.co.nz www.cresa.co.nz

Scott Figenshow will discuss, among other issues:

1. what “historically” New Zealanders have thought about affordable housing and previous approaches to the issue

2. the definition of “inclusionary zoning”, affordable housing and other key terms

3. if inclusionary housing were successfully implemented around the country, what could New Zealand look like in the next 10-20 years?

4. the biggest barriers to affordable housing?

5. what can councils do to increase affordable housing?

Scott has 25 years’ experience in the community housing sector. He has experience in roles with non-profits, government and the private sector. Scott is experienced in policy development and its implementation, including inclusionary zoning and shared ownership. Further, he has experience in combining non-profit and market housing developments and working on affordable housing issues with private developers.  Scott can be reached at 021 061 9664 and at director@communityhousing.org.nz

Jade Kake will discuss, among other issues:

1. the definition of contemporary papakāinga,

2. why councils should approach papakāinga housing different from other kinds of housing, and 

3. highlight international stories/examples of indigenous housing, and how the information is applicable to New Zealand

Jade Kake is an architectural designer, housing advocate and researcher. She has experience working directly with Māori land trusts and other Māori organisations to realise their aspirations, particularly around papakāinga housing and marae development, and in working with mana whenua groups to express their cultural values and narratives through the design of their physical environments.  She is the author of the book "Rebuilding the Kāinga Lessons from Te Ao Hurihuri", and host of the podcast Indigenous Urbanism.  In 2019, Jade held a writers’ residency at the Michael King Writers Centre.  She can be reached at jade@matakohe.org.nz and greater detail or her organisation can be found at https://www.matakohe.org.nz/

Among other topics, Pamela Bell will cover:

1. a definition of prefabrication and how is it used in the NZ built environment, 

2. what market analysis tells us about acceptance of prefabricated housing, 

3. sectors that would benefit most from prefabricated housing

4. what can councils do - provided market demand - to incentivise uptake, and 

5. the environmental benefits of prefabricated housing.

Pamela Bell, founder and former CE of PrefabNZ Inc,  Ms Bell currently works as an Innovation Consultant, BRANZ Board Member and Endeavour Assessor for MBIE, among many other roles.  She can be reached at www.pamelabell.nz

LGNZ has developed a podcast to bring interview experts from across disciplines to inform Councillors about key issues underpinning the planning and delivery of housing.  This is because housing is a significant issue for all councils. We need to get housing right for the sake of our communities’ social and economic futures.  Unaffordable housing is having a negative impact on local economies, discretionary household expenditure and social well-being.  This means addressing matters of supply, how social and community housing needs are met and the importance of healthy homes.  Underpinning the issue is the need for appropriate funding and financing.