Councils and Community Organisations
Rural Housing Programme
Housing New Zealand is part of a 'whole of government' effort to reduce substandard housing in Northland, East Coast and eastern Bay of Plenty. From July 2004, activities for essential repair suspensory loans were extended to areas outside Northland, East Coast and eastern Bay of Plenty.
Substandard houses are unsafe dwellings where people may rely on open flames for light, heat or cooking. Houses may also lack basic services such as a fresh water supply and a sanitation system. The Rural Housing Programme also addresses social and economic development in its target areas, as substandard housing is often a sign of wider social problems.
How the Rural Housing Programme works:
Rural Housing started in 2001 and involves communities, Iwi, social service housing providers, the New Zealand Fire Service, Te Puni Kokiri, Community Employment Group, Skill New Zealand, local government, health agencies and the Ministry of Social Development.
We work with these groups to:
- improve the quality of housing in target areas
- increase the supply of affordable, quality houses
- help communities to manage their own housing needs.
Work so far:
In 2005/06, Rural Housing:
- provided 265 essential repairs loans
- provided 19 infrastructure loans (affecting 118 households) to supply clean water to two rural communities in the eastern Bay of Plenty
- set up 17 Home Improvement Project Zone contracts with community organisations to review and assess substandard housing applicants in their community
- set up contracts with 14 local service providers to increase delivery capability and progress the Rural Housing.
We also:
- worked with local councils on projects relating to substandard water and sewerage issues
- worked with the Ministry of Health to provide a more responsive, coordinated service to people with disabilities.
