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Community Housing Aotearoa Says Unlocking Housing Affordability Is A Key To Reducing Homelessness

Community Housing Aotearoa Says Unlocking Housing Affordability Is A Key To Reducing Homelessness

Scoop15-05-2025
Press Release – Community Housing Aotearoa
Unlocking affordability is a key to providing secure, affordable, long-term rental homes that support people to thrive. It is also a necessary step towards reducing the number of people and children in emergency housing and addressing New Zealands …
'Focussing on community and tenant outcomes is key to ensuring government investment improves lives so we are heartened to hear Hon. Nicola Willis announce the new $190 million Social Investment Fund to support people in need.' said Paul Gilberd, Chief Executive, Community Housing Aotearoa.
'We acknowledge the three groups included in today's announcement and the awhina, support and services they provide to their communities: He Piringa Whare and Te Tihi o Ruahine alliance, AUTISM New Zealand and Ka Puta Ka Ora Emerge Aotearoa's Youth Services.
We are also encouraged by the Minister of Finance's statement that she wants to see less people in Emergency housing as a key measure of a desired outcome. We believe this can be achieved by providing access to more affordable, adequate rental housing.
Unlocking affordability is a key to providing secure, affordable, long-term rental homes that support people to thrive. It is also a necessary step towards reducing the number of people and children in emergency housing and addressing New Zealand's high and rising levels of homelessness.
Community housing providers already offer a range of affordable housing options to match community needs. As a sector, we focus on achieving long-term, sustainable outcomes for residents and communities. As such, we're more than a landlord. We have a duty to ensure our homes are managed and protected for the long-term and wider social good and achieve our vision of ensuring all New Zealanders well-housed for generations to come.'
About Community Housing Aotearoa
Community Housing Aotearoa (CHA) is a peak body for the community housing sector. To achieve our vision of 'all New Zealanders well-housed', we have a strategic focus on supporting a responsive housing system underpinned by Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the Right to a Decent Home.
Our member organisations provide homes for nearly 30,000 people nationally across 26,000 homes, and our partner members include developers, consultants and local councils. Community Housing Organisations are primarily not for dividend entities that develop, own and/or manage social and affordable housing stock, with a variety of tenure offerings.
CHA is a proud Tangata Tiriti organisation and works closely with national Māori housing advocate Te Matapihi, which also represents iwi-based and Māori community housing organisations.
We believe all New Zealanders have the right to a decent home. A home that is affordable, secure, habitable, is near schools, transport and services and is culturally adequate.
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