Social agencies support Unitary Plan’s intensification proposition

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Social development agencies Airedale Property Trust and Lifewise are in favour of higher density housing, as was announced in the Unitary Plan today. The two agencies view the development of more high-density housing as a key aspect to ending homelessness in Auckland long-term.

Airedale Property Trust and Lifewise support people into permanent homes via Housing First, a model founded on the belief that housing is a basic human right, and is much more cost effective than maintaining people on the street. This approach is based on international evidence that when you house people first, then provide the support services they need to live independently, the cycle of homelessness stops.

The two agencies are adapting the Housing First model for Auckland, under the guidance of the Rough Sleepers Steering Group, which includes people who have experienced homelessness. However, affordable, available housing stock is integral to the success of the Housing First model in Auckland. With more homes being built under the Unitary Plan, Airedale Property Trust and Lifewise hope to be able to successfully home many more Aucklanders who are struggling.

“Having a home is the first step,” says Bruce Stone, Airedale Property Trust’s Chief Executive. “Ongoing support services also need to be considered, as people moving into new housing bring with them a range of complex personal and family needs.”

Airedale Property Trust and Lifewise work with the people they home long-term, providing support and services that address issues such as addiction, mental health and employment, to ensure they are able to lead healthy, independent lives.

Concerned about the natural population ‘churn’ through Auckland, as a result of migration, the two agencies, along with the Auckland Community Housing Providers’ Network, made a submission to Auckland Council responding to the Auckland Unleashed – Auckland Plan Discussion Document, in 2011.

The submission made to the Council highlighted that an approximate 70,000 people move in or out of Auckland each year. Compounded by the short-term nature of rental arrangements in Auckland Central, this movement creates social instability in central neighbourhoods, which has contributed to the rising homelessness in the area.

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Intensification of housing in the Central Auckland area is also supported by the soon-to-launch Coalition for More Homes, which is headed by Generation Zero and Greater Auckland, and open to all businesses, organisations, housing advocates and individuals who want to see the Unitary Plan passed.

More affordable, available higher density housing will help to address such problems, by preventing isolation and encouraging those that Airedale Property Trust and Lifewise support into housing to reintegrate into society.