Homelessness Rises In Te Anau Amid Housing Crisis

• Homelessness in Te Anau is rising, with no long-term support options available
• Lack of affordable homes and increasing short-term rentals add to the housing problem
• Community feedback highlights social housing needs and potential solutions for future growth

Homelessness in Te Anau is on the rise, with no long-term support systems in place, according to the recently released Te Anau Basin Development Plan. The plan, designed to guide the Fiordland Community Board’s future decisions, pointed out significant issues around affordable housing and social support for affected residents.

Although new houses are being built, many are used as holiday homes or short-term rentals, meaning they do not contribute much to the available housing stock for locals. This has driven up the demand for social housing, worsened by high land and construction costs.

Fiordland Community Board chair Diane Holmes noted that housing challenges in the town are longstanding and reflect a broader issue across the country. Despite multi-agency efforts to tackle the problem, little progress has been made. Social workers in the area report that some families are struggling to find appropriate housing, with reduced central government support adding to the pressure.

Despite these concerns, Holmes expressed some optimism about the overall findings of the development plan. She highlighted the 2022 Luxmore subdivision, which allows for more intensive residential development by enabling up to three dwellings on a single section.

Tourism, a key industry in the area, was also found to play a role in the housing issue. While short-term rentals help meet visitor accommodation demand, they reduce the supply of homes available for long-term residents.

The plan included input from community members, who raised a broad range of topics such as increased housing density, disaster vulnerability, and the location of essential services like schools. With the challenges laid out, the hope is that future developments will address both residential and commercial needs while improving support for those at risk of homelessness.