Dunedin Mayor Jules Radich will write to Housing Minister Chris Bishop asking for his permission for the council to lead a two-year trial with local social service agencies to use the former Aaron Lodge Holiday Park for social accommodation.
Cr Mandy Mayhem introduced the motion, which was passed 12-3 during yesterday’s council meeting, and said the council needed to advocate for the city’s most vulnerable residents.
Last year, Mr Radich pitched the disused site, owned by Kāinga Ora but for sale, as a possible temporary housing complex for homeless people.
Mr Bishop rejected the idea, saying the Kaikorai Valley property lacked services required for those complex needs, but the council was welcome to continue assessment work at its own cost.
Yesterday, Cr Mayhem said the council could not stand by while people slept rough in sub-zero temperatures.
"Mr mayor, you had a really good idea, and you almost got it over the line."
The council needed to ask why the property was "sitting empty" after four years of government ownership.
"It’s a central government issue, and we just need to remind the minister of housing that we are willing, as a city, to take up this burden."
Cr Mayhem said she lodged her motion after members of a housing hui last week decided to write to Mr Bishop in support of creating accommodation at the former Aaron Lodge.
Mr Radich said another attempt at establishing housing on the site was "absolutely" worth it and local agencies were willing to be part of a trial.
Cr Steve Walker said he supported the motion, but it was a "sticky plaster" for an issue caused by systemic underfunding.
He noted the council had voted earlier this year not to move ahead with planned expansion of its community housing programme.
Cr Carmen Houlahan said she supported the motion, but had reservations about the unknown financial impact for the council.
Cr Mayhem’s initial motion requested the government reconsider the proposal and "allow" the property to be used for accommodation, but it was changed yesterday before councillors discussed the item.
She told the Otago Daily Times the motion had been "finessed" for clarity, as the council had already approached Mr Bishop about the property.
Cr Bill Acklin said he was concerned no costs were included in the "tweaked" motion — the council did not have a social housing or homelessness policy to support a trial.
The property was bought by Kāinga Ora for more than $4 million about four years ago and has been on the market since January.
At a glance
That the Mayor writes to the Honourable Chris Bishop, Minister of Housing, requesting permission for the DCC to lead a programme of work with local social service agencies to utilise Aaron Lodge for social accommodation on a trail basis for a period of two years.—
For (12): Mayor Jules Radich, Crs Sophie Barker, David Benson-Pope, Christine Garey, Kevin Gilbert, Carmen Houlahan, Marie Laufiso, Cherry Lucas, Mandy Mayhem, Jim O’Malley, Steve Walker, Andrew Whiley.
Against (3): Crs Bill Acklin, Lee Vandervis, Brent Weatherall.
