About us
Part 1: Operating intentions
This section outlines how the Corporation intends to operate to achieve its intermediate outcomes over the next three to five years.
Outcome one: Improved wellbeing of individuals and whānau supported by Corporation services
The Corporation's desired outcome is the delivery of products and services that make a positive difference to people's wellbeing. Wellbeing includes the physical and mental health of individuals, and social functionality of whānau.
Why is this outcome a priority for the Corporation?
Access to social housing is one step towards helping people in need. The Corporation is seeking to strengthen its work with other agencies to support people to achieve their housing aspirations. The Corporation is developing a Housing Pathways Framework that focuses on a new approach to engaging with state housing tenants. The framework focuses on how the Corporation can assist households to achieve positive outcomes.
The Housing Pathways Framework will provide the basis for enhancing service delivery to help people in need. The Corporation is developing a tenancy management model, which will help the Corporation to strengthen its focus in areas of high social need. The benefits from this model will include improved service to New Zealanders, more proactive management of issues and stronger communities.
What will the Corporation do to achieve this outcome?
The initiatives under area seven (meeting diverse housing needs) of the New Zealand Housing Strategy's1 whole-of-government programme of action support the Corporation's activities in achieving this intermediate outcome.
Key activities to help achieve this outcome include:
- providing housing assistance to those most in need through the Social Allocation System
- subsidising tenants' rental costs with income-related rent
- improving service performance through a tenancy management model
- aiming to reduce housing-related health risks and crowding.
Non-departmental appropriation that contributes:
- Income-related rent subsidy.
Outcome two: Strong and enduring partnerships with communities and iwi
The Corporation's desired outcome is a range of strong and enduring partnerships with communities, non-government housing groups, Pacific peoples and iwi to address the demand for social housing and improve the wellbeing of communities.
Why is this outcome a priority for the Corporation?
The Corporation has changed the way it operates to be more effective. It is moving from an organisation focused on managing properties and tenancies to one that is more people-driven, inclusive, and tailored to the specific needs of individuals and their communities. The Corporation is focusing on forging closer relationships and partnerships with local authorities and community-based organisations to improve social housing outcomes for communities and iwi. In particular, through its Community Renewal and development projects, the Corporation is focusing on building healthy, sustainable, mixed communities that are active, inclusive and safe, with reduced crime and increased education, health and employment levels.
The Corporation's Community Renewal programme aims to address social exclusion and foster strong and sustainable communities. The programme takes an holistic approach in areas of high social need, and work ranges from modernising and reconfiguring homes to improving social cohesion, safety and security and the physical environment.
The Corporation aims to form innovative partnerships with Māori to help address Māori housing issues, as well as improving the effectiveness of the services it provides for Māori. Te Au Roa, the Māori Strategic Plan 2007-2012, outlines the Corporation's commitment to Māori and its intention to produce sustainable housing outcomes for Māori.
Innovative solutions and partnerships are also needed for Pacific peoples who make up nearly one third of tenants, particularly in the Auckland region. The Corporation will develop a Pacific peoples housing strategy in 2008/09 to develop stronger links with Pacific peoples and to help address their housing needs and strengthen community wellbeing.
What will the Corporation do to achieve this outcome?
The initiatives under areas seven (meeting diverse housing needs) and six (strengthened housing sector capability) of the New Zealand Housing Strategy's whole-of-government programme of action support the Corporation's activities in achieving this intermediate outcome.
Key activities to help achieve this outcome include:
- influencing change and building capability in Community Renewal areas
- identifying community development opportunities that utilise economies of scale
- supporting providers to build their capacity to manage and grow their social housing portfolio
- developing partnerships with Māori that are strategic, and mutually beneficial.
Non-departmental appropriations that contribute:
- Housing assistance.
- Loans to support social housing.
- HNZC housing support services.
Outcome three: Improved housing affordability/opportunities for New Zealanders
The Corporation's desired outcome is the effective delivery of affordable housing interventions, improved affordability for home buyers, and housing opportunities for others. These interventions will include providing assistance for first-home buyers, supporting other social housing providers, and building affordable housing into government-led development projects.
Why is this outcome a priority for the Corporation?
Affordable housing is an important factor in people's wellbeing. High housing costs relative to income often leave low- to middle-income households with insufficient income to meet other basic needs like food, clothing, transport, medical care and education. The Corporation can make a significant difference through affordable housing interventions, such as:
- providing direct assistance to first-home buyers through the Welcome Home Loan scheme and Shared Equity pilot
- identifying other initiatives with other agencies to improve housing affordability
- investigating innovative ways to help people with adequate income to move from renting to home ownership, particularly in the intermediate market where people may achieve home ownership with some degree of support
- working with local government and non-government agencies to increase or develop rental housing and home ownership opportunities
- building opportunities to develop sustainable, mixed communities in Tamaki and Hobsonville
- developing options with the non-government, community and private sectors to give people a pathway out of social housing
- working with Wellington City Council to upgrade its social housing units and improve the quality of life for more than 4,000 people
- continuing to work with other agencies on the affordable housing work programme.
What will the Corporation do to achieve this outcome?
The initiatives under areas two (improved housing assistance and affordability) and three (improved access to home ownership) of the New Zealand Housing Strategy's whole-of-government programme of action support the Corporation's activities in achieving this intermediate outcome.
Key activities to help achieve this outcome include:
- delivering the Shared Equity pilot
- educating first-time buyers through the Welcome Home First Steps education programme
- supporting Pacific peoples through the Welcome Home First Steps education programme
- working with lenders to help people on modest incomes move from renting to home ownership through the Welcome Home Loan scheme.
Non-departmental approriations that contribute:
- Contracted housing support services.
- HNZC housing support services.
- Housing assistance.
- Loans to support home ownership.
Outcome four: Homes that meet the needs of New Zealanders
The Corporation's desired outcome is for New Zealanders to live in safe, energy-efficient, well-maintained houses that meet their needs and aspirations. The Corporation's housing stock will be managed to respond to changing household type and geographic demand, balancing the needs of today with those of the future.
Why is this outcome a priority for the Corporation?
Housing demand is constantly changing. The Corporation will need more houses of the right kind, quality and location to meet future housing demand. Research shows that people increasingly expect their homes to be safe and healthy. People want dry and warm homes. The current housing portfolio will remain the Corporation's first priority if these expectations are to be met.
What will the Corporation do to achieve this outcome?
The initiatives under areas one (supply of sustainable housing) and five (improved housing quality) of the New Zealand Housing Strategy's whole-of-government programme of action support the Corporation's activities in achieving this intermediate outcome.
Key activities to help achieve this outcome include:
- modernising state housing to appropriate, defined standards
- increasing the housing portfolio
- improving state housing to be more energy- efficient and safe
- reconfiguring properties to match demand
- maintaining the ageing stock to an appropriate level.
Non-departmental approriations that contribute:
- Acquisition and improvement of HNZC state houses.
- HNZC housing support services.
Outcome five: Leadership and innovation in social housing
Making a difference in the lives of New Zealanders requires a coordinated approach with a number of agencies. While the Corporation is a key provider of social housing, it cannot do it alone. The Corporation's desired outcome is to be widely recognised by the housing sector, public sector agencies, the general public and government, as a leader and innovator in social housing.
Why is this outcome a priority for the Corporation?
The changing environment requires the Corporation to build its internal capability and capacity. The Corporation is committed to creating a diverse, skilled workforce where everyone can participate equally to achieve their full potential.
As the Corporation improves its understanding of employee engagement and its impact on organisational performance, it will need to support its people with the right strategies, structures, systems and resources. The Corporation will use the results from its employee engagement survey to further develop its leadership and management capability.
The Corporation is committed to achieving environmental sustainability and will consider the economic, social and environmental implications and effects in all areas of its operation. It will include a number of key initiatives into its Environmental Sustainability Plan, such as:
- reducing the Corporation's carbon footprint
- introducing procurement systems and processes to achieve sustainability
- supporting tenants with a home environment that promotes good health and energy efficiency.
What will the Corporation do to achieve this outcome?
Key activities to help achieve this outcome include:
- providing well-informed advice to the Minister
- introducing a performance excellence framework
- implementing key initiatives within the Environmental Sustainability Plan
- being people-focused, with high levels of trust and confidence from the public and key stakeholders.
Non-departmental approriation that contributes:
- Housing policy advice.
