A delegation representing the Southland Housing Action Forum (SHAF) presented a report on the state of the region’s housing situation to Housing Minister Phil Twyford and government sector officials on Monday during meetings at parliament facilitated by Labour List MP Dr Liz Craig.

Salvation Army Southland spokesperson David Hope and Venture Southland’s GM of Business and Strategic Projects Steve Canny gave a compelling presentation which included facts showing the stark need for immediate progress to be made.

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This was followed by positive discussions between officials and the delegation, which also included Southland District Mayor Gary Tong, Invercargill City Council Mayor Tim Shadbolt & Deputy Mayor Rebecca Amundsen, Southland Chamber Chief Executive Sheree Carey, Paul Searanacke from Habitat for Humanity and Awarua Synergy CEO Sumaria Beaton.

SHAF commissioned Venture Southland to undertake the research and the report was
extensive and extremely thorough.

Awarua Synergy CEO Sumaria Beaton said “Southland has a great opportunity to work together in sorting our local housing crisis, Hon Phil Tywford and officials have now heard it’s not only an Auckland issue and are keen to work collectively with Southland. I have been involved for a number of years with a few housing groups, it’s the first time a wide range of active groups are collaborating to solve this issue. Awarua Synergy is currently working on feasibility to expand its offerings, building affordable kit set homes in our off season during summer using our internal exsisting labour”.

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Chamber CE Sheree Carey said “The team at Venture have done a fantastic job pulling
together all the information so we had the comprehensive data required to take to parliament. It also included future projections on business growth based on the recent
Labour Market Survey and the staffing required for the massive upcoming construction
projects in Invercargill, along with the effects of AIRBNB”

“The numbers are alarming with over 140 homes needed throughout the region now in the
emergency, transitional and state housing area and another 2600+ in the next 12 months to fill the general housing gap. With over 480 houses required every year after that for 5 years just to deal with population growth, the situation was much worse than she had perceived.”
Carey said.The delegation was extremely well received with officials citing the possibility of a Central Government/Regional partnership to tackle the issue.

As part of the next step, representatives from the newly formed Ministry of Housing and
Urban Development (HUD) will visit Southland before Christmas and meet with the SHAF, councils and private developers to look into potential opportunities.
SHAF Chairman Shaun Drylie said “it is pleasing to see the coordinated approach of SHAF creating some positive momentum, although we need to highlight that fixing a structural issue will take time, but there’s no time like the present to start”

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The delegation heading to Wellington includes:

Dr Liz Craig MP
Southland District Mayor Gary Tong
Invercargill City Council Mayor Tim Shadbolt & Deputy Mayor Rebecca
Amundsen
Southland Chamber Chief Executive Sheree Carey
Venture Southland’s Steve Canny
Paul Searanacke from Habitat for Humanity
David Hope from the Salvation Army
Awarua Synergy CEO Sumaria Beaton

The Southland Housing Action Forum is made up of the following;

Shaun Drylie – SBS/Chamber (Chair)
Dr Liz Craig – Labour MP
Mayor Gary Tong – SDC
Mayor Tracy Hicks – GDC
Becs Amundsen – ICC/SCHG
Mark Patterson – NZ First MP
Sarah Dowie – Invercargill MP
Steve Canny – Venture Southland
Sumaria Beaton – Awarua Synergy
Angela Blair – Ngai Tahu
Chris Ramsay ILT
Jackie Flutey – CTS
Richard Gray – Fonterra/Chamber
Sheree Carey – Chamber
Penny Simmonds – SIT
Lindsay Thomas – HWCP/ICC
Margaret Cook – South Alive
Paul Searancke – Habitat for Humanity
Alison Broad – SCHGCarl Hamilton – Master Builders Rep Gore
Brent Hansen – Master Builders Rep Invercargill
Tony Mennell – T&T Property
Steve McGregor – True South Surveyors
Roger Beattie – Beattie McDowell Architects

Action Forum Releases Report On State Of Regions Housing Situation

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