CHA News - 17 May 2011

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EVENTS TO NOTE:

• Waiting for the Budget this Thursday 19 May
  
• Upcoming Wananga in Mangere on 27/28 May
  

Kia ora tatou,

WAITING FOR TOMORROW'S BUDGET ANNOUNCEMENTS!

Since our last panui in the week before Easter, there has been a growing air of anticipation as we wait to see what this year's Government's Budget might hold for Housing.

While Budget day isn't expected to hold major surprises,  as with all Budget announcements it will set some definite parameters for the 2011-2012 year and provide a wealth of detail that will need to be analysed at some length.

Community Housing Aotearoa issued a media release last Thursday that set out our hopes that this year’s Budget will provide concrete steps towards broadening the base for provision of social housing – "because without a broader base the prospects for better and more innovative community-based housing will be lost". A full copy of the media release is available here.

CHA will send out another bulletin with a link to our initial analysis with as much detail as can be taken from the Budget and uncovered through detailed reading. 

WANANGA INVITATION - WHAT IS THE FUTURE ROLE OF MAORI HOUSING PROVIDERS?

As signalled in our last panui the CHA Council's Maori caucus and delegates from the 2010 National Maori Housing Conference have initiated a Wananga to specifically determine a dedicated workstream for Maori housing.

Two weeks ago, on Friday 5 May, a wide invitation was sent from CHA to all delegates who attended the National Maori Housing Conference to attend this Wananga set to be held at the Mataatua marae, 17 Killington Crescent in Mangere from 11am on Friday 27 May to midday on Saturday 28 May.

To read details about the programme for the Wananga please see the Maori housing section of the CHA website.

RSVPs can be made to support@communityhousing.org.nz until Wednesday 25 May.

CHRISTCHURCH

Last week I travelled to Christchurch to meet with several CHA members for an on-the-ground update about earthquake recovery and future plans. As has been reported on in the wider media, I was impressed by the strong sense of resilience in Christchurch and can't say enough about the willingness shown by all people that I met and talked with to take all actions needed in meeting the heightened housing needs of Christchurch communities.

As a national body I know that we will be doing everything we can to support the actions that will be called for, and to support our CHA members in making those calls for action.

It is also positive to see a focus being put on 'The Reimagination of Christchurch'. CHA member James Lunday, urban designer, was a guest speaker at CHA's Doorways to Community Housing conference in March. James' views have been making an impact, and this weekend he is taking part in one of the TED "Ideas Worth Spreading" speaker events that are now held around the world - see www.ted.com

Best wishes,

David McCartney
director@communityhousing.org.nz

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Recommended viewing: Whare Māori

WHARE MĀORI on Māori Television, Sundays at 8pm -

From the Māori Television website:

• Whare Māori is a fascinating new 13 part documentary series dedicated to exploring the unique architectural history of our Māori ancestors. It delves into the stories of the people that worked together to create buildings where whānau and hapu could celebrate and worship, learn and govern.
   
• Architect Rau Hoskins (Ngā Puhi), lectures in Māori architecture at UNITEC Auckland and is the director of Design Tribe Limited. As the Presenter of WHARE MĀORI he will guide viewers on a journey around the country, exploring the rich history of Māori architecture along with current and future trends.
   
• Produced by Qantas Media Award winning producer Megan Douglas of Scottie Productions. Directed and co-produced by Karen Mackenzie and writer/director Michael Bennett.

Perspectives on PPPs

• PPPs - the acronym for Public Private Partnerships - were covered in depth at this year's CHA Conference - Doorways to Community Housing, as reflected in the presentations available on the CHA website's conference page.
   
• Because PPPs will always be a hot topic CHA is providing access to relevant reading and research on the CHA website. The latest addition is the policy perspectives paper produced by the Social Policy Unit of the Salvation Army, allied to the latest edition of their news and updates publication "Public Sphere" - available soon on the Salvation Army website.
   
• Note: In early June, a group 'field trip' is being made to view Australian PPPs to gain a practical perspective. A small number of CHA members will be making the trip as will David McCartney, CHA's Executive Officer. A post-trip report will be made available at a later date.

Latest HIF announcement

Housing Minister Phil Heatley made his latest announcement of successful Housing Innovation Fund (HIF) applications this week (16 May 2011), including the following successful organisations:

• Te Taiwhenua O Heretaunga. The total value of this project is $1,927,348. Te Taiwhenua O Heretaunga will provide $963,674, which will be matched with HIF funding.
• Whatever it Takes Trust (WIT) in Napier and Hawkes Bay. The Trust will be contributing $1,370,000 and receive $480,000 from HIF funding.
• Accessible Properties in Hamilton. Accessible Properties will contribute $1,273,000 to the project and receive $1,200,000 from HIF funding.

Once again the Minister has made a point of highlighting the view that: "Working with third sector providers of social and niche housing has proven to be successful time and time again, it is a recipe that has repeatedly delivered up to three times the amount of housing the Government could deliver on its own."

Read the Ministerial media release here: HIF funding delivers more affordable housing