While a number of articles have been prepared by CHRANZ on the theme of affordability, Housing Costs and Affordability in New Zealand by DTZ Research (2004) and Local Government and Affordable Housing by CRESA and Public Policy and Research (2007) are the only reports that have specific findings relevant to Auckland region. (ARC, 2008, pg 23)
In relation to affordability in Auckland, the report summarises the 2004 DTZ findings as follows:
…over the last fifteen years, affordability across a range of measures has declined in New Zealand and of all the regions, Auckland has experienced the greatest decline in affordability for both owner-occupied housing and rental tenure. Furthermore, Auckland has been seen to have the worst regional affordability since 1989. For example, in 2000/2001, 22.8% of households in Auckland spend more than 40% of their net income on housing related costs compared to the national average of only 14.8%….
These statistics support those reported in the introduction to this draft report. Of more immediate relevance to the present research though, are the recommendations for further research that is needed to address Auckland’s housing affordability issues. It is one thing to have overall regional statistics about affordability, but it is quite another to have locally specific data which can drive or enable policy initiatives to deal with those local issues. (Note the specific data obtained by Queenstown Lakes District Council previously reported in this research).
The future research needs that are identified in the report cover the issues of definition, measurement, causes, and solutions. The report notes that DTZ (2004) recommended three areas of research, which are summarised below:
- Affordability defintion and measurement – including the development of measures that can be used at local level and with key stakeholders, and which allow for in-depth analysis of trends in affordability and local variations in affordability;
- Barriers to accessing affordable housing – focussing on the five main barriers (regulatory, governmental, institutional, land values and other market factors);
- Potential solutions.
CRESA’s (Centre for Research Evaluation and Social Assessment) work followed in 2007. This involved a survey among local and regional authorities, and included an Auckland report. Of concern was the finding that: “few (councils) were aware of the relationship between their statutory, regulatory and planning responsibilities and impacts on housing affordability…” (ARC, 2008, pg 25)
The CRESA report concluded with a set of recommendations relating to the need for councils to take a more active role in addressing local issues of housing affordability.
These are set out in full here:
- The role of local and central government needs to be agreed and clarified with regard to the promotion and provision of affordable housing.
- Central government needs to take into account approaches used overseas and ensure legislation does not hinder councils from implementing effective tools.
- An agreement between local and central government regarding new approaches to fund vulnerable groups such as people with disabilities, young people and working families.
- Local and central government needs to adopt a new housing response by working together with community and private sector agencies and organisations.
- There needs to be commitment by central and local government to capacity and capability building.
- Councils need to develop a housing strategy and relevant policies and actions for population groups who are vulnerable to unaffordable housing, leveraging housing outcomes in the community and linking housing outcomes to transport, sustainability and infrastructure outcomes. (ARC, 2008, pg 25)
Among other organisations conducting research into the issue of housing affordability in Auckland and throughout New Zealand, one that stands out is the Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit of the Salvation Army. According to its website: “New Zealand needs to develop and implement policies to permanently improve its social climate and reduce social need….”. Two of its reports are used in this report’s Housing Affordability Assessment for Manukau City.
In 2008 the Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit of the Salvation Army produced Housing Update 2008. Its introduction states:
This brief report is intended to provide those people interested in housing issues with a statistical overview of housing markets in New Zealand. Such an overview is intended to provide a basis for discussion around the future direction of housing policy over the short to medium term. The data for this report is taken entirely from public sources but has been collected and analysed in such a way that we hope will provide some useful insights for future policy discussion. (Salvation Army, 2008)
Then in 2009 the Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit of the Salvation Army produced Into Troubled Waters: A State of the Nation Report. Its introduction states:
This report Into Troubled Waters is The Salvation Army’s second annual state of the nation
report. As with the first report, What Does It Profit Us? this report tracks New Zealand’s social progress through a series of indicators. These indicators are relevant to five topic areas, our children, crime and punishment, work and incomes, social hazards and housing. (Salvation Army, 2009)
Both reports provide useful data relating to housing affordability in Manukau City.
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