Letters: Housing consultation essential

Rotorua Lakes Council's proposed Community Housing Partnership is a carefully considered but slow response to a mushrooming crisis, writes one reader. PHOTO/FILE

The Rotorua Lakes Council's proposed Community Housing Partnership is a carefully considered but in my view slow and ponderous response to a mushrooming crisis.

The Rotorua District Residents and Ratepayers Inc has long campaigned that the 152 housing units for the elderly are an inadequate provision given the scale of demand, with some units dreadfully run-down.

The council's proposal before the SP&F Committee [Thursday] recognises the scale of the problem; 700 citizens are "severe housing deprived", about 100 are living in sub-standard accommodation, another 57 "living rough" and between 28 and 40 "chronic street homeless".

It notes legislation that prevents council from becoming a Community Housing Provider (CHP), which is essential for potential tenants to get the Income Related Rent Subsidy (IRRS).

The solution proposed is for council to partner with other organisations to form a "CHP-status trust". It is legally elegant but in my view long overdue and potentially another council-controlled organisation riddled with bureaucratic norms.

Hence, a basic business case and community consultations are essential next steps.

A nationwide search of alternative partnership models should also be undertaken, to both appreciate the social, affordable and market aspects of the housing provision continuum, but most importantly, to develop a range of local bilateral partnerships with potential investors with varying scope.

Instead of one institution owned by one CHP partnership, can we imagine an array of local CH providers using different ownership models, as we have with many successful rest and retirement homes?

REYNOLD MACPHERSON
Rotorua

Light the flame
This will be my 84th Christmas - 84 years of memories - some welcome; some not so.

But I still get a buzz from it; I still get that warm, choky feeling deep inside, that desire to wish folk a Merry Christmas; to still hope that everyone - even the people you can't see - you know, the millions who won't be having a "Merry" anything; the millions who have no one to wish anything to.

Christmas goes beyond the religious thing, I believe it is that something deep inside all of us, Christian, Jew, Muslim, Buddhist, whatever, that we could always be able just to talk to each other, just a simple "G'day, you OK mate?"

It is a wish that I believe lives in every man, woman and child's heart, to communicate without fear; to be able to walk up to another human being with your hand held out; much as our dog comes up each and every morning, tail wagging, nose sniffing, just eager to love - and be loved.

That is the little flame inside most of us at this time of the year - that hope, warmth, desperate attempt to love one another - and be loved.

Merry Christmas.

JIM ADAMS
Rotorua