Housing New Zealand Corporation

Introduction

Housing New Zealand Corporation (HNZC) plays a significant role within the housing sector. We are New Zealand’s largest landlord, managing a rental housing portfolio of nearly 67,000 homes. We provide research and policy advice to inform Government housing policy, support the building of third sector capability to expand the provision of social housing and assist people into home ownership.

Access to quality housing contributes to the social and physical health of individuals and communities. The Corporation’s research in preparation for the New Zealand Housing Strategy, found there was not enough choice in accessible housing for people with mobility and sensory difficulties. Disabled households also often have lower than average incomes and therefore face housing affordability issues.

Mobility and agility disability issues also have an impact on the housing needs of older people. Disability rates increase with age and the proportion of the New Zealand population aged 65 plus is projected to increase considerably in the next decade and onward. Consequently the number of people with disabilities will increase. This will create greater demand for modified or “accessible” housing.

The Corporation is addressing these issues through a broad range of products, services and new initiatives. This plan outlines the key activities the Corporation will undertake during 2007/08 to help improve access for disabled people to housing that is appropriate to their needs.

The activities outlined in the ‘Leading work that makes a difference’ section on page 24 of this implementation plan contribute to achieving the objectives set out in the New Zealand Disability Strategy. Additionally these activities also contribute to a range of other related strategies and planning documents. Linkages are detailed between the Corporation’s key activities set out in this plan and a number of wider goals and strategic documents including:

• The Government’s Families – Young and Old Theme
• The New Zealand Housing Strategy
• The New Zealand Positive Ageing Strategy
• The Key Business Priorities set out in the Corporation’s Statement of Intent

Accessible government

All government agencies are asked to prioritise actions to increase their accessibility to disabled people. This is about getting the basics right, so that disabled people can access government on the same basis as other people.

These actions support realisation of the New Zealand Disability Strategy’s objective 6: foster an aware and responsive public service.

Four critical areas where disabled people interact with government agencies are:

• information – such as brochures, letters, publications, websites
• buildings – such as service centres, corporate offices
• services – such as face to face at a service centre, call centres, information electronically or hard copy
• as an employer – such as job application procedures, job descriptions, accommodations in workplaces, intranets.

Accessible information

 Outcome: Disabled people can access publicly available government information on the same basis as non-disabled people. Disabled people know about, access and use government information and services.

1. Online information (internet and intranets)

2. Hard copy information

3. Audio/visual resources

4. Other information

Accessible buildings

 Outcome: Disabled people can visit, work, and move about independently in all government buildings and carry on ordinary activities there, on the same basis as others.

1. Structural elements

2. Contact with the public

3. Workplace management

Accessible services

Outcome: Disabled people can access government services on the same basis as non-disabled people.

Being a good employer

 Outcome: Government agencies provide equal opportunities in employment for disabled people to be recruited, retained, and promoted on the same basis as non-disabled people.

1. Employment practice

2. Supports for disabled staff

Achievement story
PROVISION OF COMMUNITY HOUSES FOR KIMBERLEY RESIDENTS

In August 2001 the Minister of Health and the Minister of Disability Issues announced their intention to close the Kimberley Centre in Levin and transfer 376 residents into community housing over a four year period.

The decision to close Kimberley was brought about by a greater social awareness of the rights of people with disabilities. In the early 1900s, New Zealand, as with other countries, isolated people with intellectual disability and mental illness by housing them in secure institutions. Institutionalised people had little or no control over their own lives and decisions concerning their wellbeing were made on their behalf by others. During the mid 1900s a greater awareness of the rights of people with disabilities led to greater emphasis on improving the methods of caring for disabled people. It was considered that with the appropriate level of care, people with disabilities could live in community houses with a greater level of personal independence more similar to the independence experienced by people without disabilities. In practical terms this means that these people will have greater control over their own day to day lives and be able to make more decisions for themselves about how they live.

Housing New Zealand Corporation contributed to the process of supporting the former Kimberley residents by providing 74 community houses located in community settings. Of these, 23 new houses were built and another 51 existing houses were extensively modified and customised to better meet the resident’s needs. The former Kimberley residents had complex disabilities which had to be considered and reflected in the community houses which will provide tenure security throughout the residents lives. Accordingly, the completed houses have been designed to a new quality standard and are future proofed so that they may cater for a wide range of people with disabilities over time.

The last of the Kimberley residents were relocated in October 2006. The health outcomes associated with closing Kimberley will be the subject of ongoing research, however many private providers already consider that some former residents have demonstrated noticeable positive behavioral changes since leaving Kimberley and are learning to do more for themselves with less support. It is also noteworthy that much of the community opposition expressed around the decision to close Kimberley has subsided. With the relocation process completed, there has been very little negative reaction from communities and none of the perceived risks have materialised. Anecdotally, this would infer that the houses are supporting the residents needs, and their neighboring communities have become more accepting of the former Kimberley residents being part of their communities. Furthermore, the Corporation now has a base of high quality houses to support people with severe disabilities and provide them a safe physical environment and the opportunity to live more independent, fulfilling lives.

Including a disability perspective

Government agencies that have social policy responsibilities should complete this section. A disability perspective should be routinely considered within ordinary policy development work that may directly, or indirectly, impact on disabled people.

What is a disability perspective?

A disability perspective is a viewpoint that considers the needs and aspirations of disabled people and their families/whānau. When you apply a disability perspective to a policy or service you are developing, you need to analyse the impact it will have on disabled people and their family/whānau.

In the past, government policy and programmes have often failed to consider disability perspectives. This has effectively prevented disabled people accessing opportunities and fully participating in society. Government policy and service development that reflects the realities of disabled people’s lives can enhance their participation and independence. This contributes to a more inclusive society.

Cabinet requires all papers, where appropriate, to include a disability perspective.

When is it appropriate to include a disability perspective?

Any initiative that directly or indirectly affects disabled people, both within and outside government. Disabled people are present in all social environments - the home, work and the community – of all ages, and in all population groups, such as Maori, Pacific peoples. This means all legislation, policies, programmes and services will potentially impact on them.

Consultation with the disability sector should be considered, where appropriate. The Office for Disability Issues should also be involved on the same basis as other government agencies.

How do I learn more about what a disability perspective means?

The Office for Disability Issues has produced an online resource that explains Cabinet requirements to include a disability perspective in policy development.

This resource can be accessed on the Office website at:

Policy making and service development

Outcome: Government agencies’ policy development shows analysis of the impact upon disabled people. Disabled people experience an increase in their well-being and ability to participate in society as the result of government policy.

Implementation beyond your agency

Outcome: Government agencies promote action to implement the New Zealand Disability Strategy in other agencies within their monitoring and/or reporting responsibility.

Leading work that makes a difference

1) The New Zealand Housing Strategy – Area 7: Meeting Diverse Needs

a) What time period does this work cover?

• The NZ Housing Strategy and housing work programme for disabled people cover a ten year period (2005-2015).

b) Please describe this work.

• The NZ Housing Strategy provides a framework and direction for government activity in the housing sector over the next 10 years. The NZ Housing Strategy comprises seven areas of action. Work programmes under each area reflect the initiatives government wishes to emphasise over the life of the Strategy. Diverse and changing needs are not always well catered for by the housing sector. Area 7: Meeting Diverse Needs of the NZ Housing Strategy addresses the diverse housing needs of particular population groups, including disabled people.
• As part of the Area 7 work programme, the Corporation has developed a work programme to help meet the housing needs of disabled people. The work programme is consistent with relevant strategies, including the NZ Disability Strategy.

c) What difference will this work make to disabled people’s lives?

• Greater choice of affordable, good quality and accessible housing.
• Improved security of tenure.
• Better integration with the wider community, including access to appropriate support services.

d) What wider goal does this work contribute to? Are there other pieces of work that also contribute to this goal?

• The Government’s Families – Young and Old theme. Ensuring that disabled people live in affordable, good quality, accessible housing that is integrated with the community and support services will contribute to the theme’s focus “that all families, young and old, have the support and choices they need to be secure and be able to reach their full potential within a knowledge based economy.”

e) How is progress in achieving this work being measured or to be measured?

During 2006/2007, the Corporation developed a housing work programme for disabled people. Key elements of the 2006/07 work programme included:

• Continuation of the Corporation’s Community Group Housing programme (see details on page 28).
• Ongoing provision of the Corporation’s Housing Innovation Fund (see details on page 31).
• Continued use of universal design principles in all of the Corporation’s new build properties (see details on page 41).
• Ongoing modernisation and reconfiguration of the Corporation’s stock to better meet the needs of current and future tenants, including disabled people (see details on page 41).
• Ongoing modification of state housing properties on a case by case basis to suit the specific disabilities of individual tenants where new appropriate housing is not locally available (see details on page 40).
• Completion of the resettlement of former Kimberley centre residents (see achievement story on page 18).
• Ongoing work by the Corporation’s Case Managers (see details on page 33) to effectively assess customers needs and enhance the sustainability of their housing.
• Ongoing provision of the Corporation’s Suitable Homes Service (see details on page 35).

Additionally, during 2006/07 the Corporation invested $75,000 in research to investigate accessible housing for the future ageing and disabled population in New Zealand as follows:

• The Corporation’s semi-autonomous research body the Centre for Housing Research, Aotearoa New Zealand (CHRANZ) completed a housing research project entitled ‘Housing and Disability - Future Proofing New Zealand’s Housing Stock for an Inclusive Society.’ CHRANZ commissioned this research with co-funding from the Office for Disability Issues to assist the housing and disability sectors to optimise housing access for the growing number of people who will have moderate to severe physical and sensory disability that affects their mobility.
• The research focuses on:
  • The current housing experiences of physically disabled people, both young and old
  • The capacity of the housing market to respond to the rising demand for ‘lifetime homes’
  • The opportunities to establish a housing stock that is future-proofed for those affected by challenges to their mobility and agility through moderate to severe physical disability and ageing.
• The report was officially launched on 18 May and distributed widely to key stakeholders across the health and housing sectors, local government agencies and representative groups. The research will provide an evidence base for these agencies and groups to consider and inform the development of their respective policy priorities and implementation programmes.

During 2007/08 the Corporation will:

• Monitor progress against the work programme for disabled people and report quarterly to Ministers and annually to Cabinet on the Corporation’s implementation of the New Zealand Housing Strategy.

f) What objectives in the New Zealand Disability Strategy does this work connect with?

g) What part of your Statement of Intent and/or other strategic documents does this work connect with?

• The New Zealand Housing Strategy work programme for disabled people contributes to the Corporation’s Key Business Priority of “Share responsibility for the New Zealand Housing Strategy” and the two Statement of Intent intermediate outcomes of “a supply of good quality affordable housing” and “sustainable housing solutions.”

2) Community group housing

a) What time period does this work cover?

• 2007/08 and ongoing

b) Please describe this work

• The Corporation’s Community Group Housing programme helps community groups and iwi provide access to community housing for people (including people with disabilities) with specialised housing needs. Service providers often find it difficult to rent properties due to the private sector’s unwillingness to provide housing to this ‘specialist’ market, as well as the high cost of modification and compliance.

c) What difference will this work make to disabled people’s lives?

• Community Groups and iwi will be supported to provide appropriate housing for disabled people with specialised housing needs.

d) What wider goal does this work contribute to? Are there other pieces of work that also contribute to this goal?

This work contributes to:

• New Zealand Housing Strategy Areas: o Supply of sustainable housing
  • Improve housing assistance and affordability
  • Develop the private rental sector
  • Improve housing quality
  • Strengthen housing sector capability
  • Meeting diverse needs
• The Government’s Families – Young and Old theme. Ensuring that disabled people live in affordable, good quality, accessible housing that is integrated with the community and support services will contribute to the theme’s focus “that all families, young and old, have the support and choices they need to be secure and be able to reach their full potential within a knowledge based economy.”

e) How is progress in achieving this work being measured or to be measured?

During 2006/07 the Corporation planned to:

• further increase Community Group Housing stock by 40 homes
• continue to implement the Housing Rent Support Scheme to work with Community Group Housing customers and their service funders to identify and address affordability issues.

During 2006/07 the Corporation has:

• Provided residential homes for 1,590 community groups. Of these, 474 homes were provided to community groups who provide residential services to people with disabilities.
• The Corporation continues to provide the Rent Support Scheme to work with Community Group Housing customers and their service funders to identify and address affordability issues. The Corporation has an annual target of 965 tenancies to be supported from the rent support scheme and due to changes in policy, is averaging around 870 tenancies. This is a positive result because many providers are now receiving other rent assistance through the Accommodation Supplement.
• The Corporation continues to fund a peak body (Community Housing Aotearoa Incorporated) to support housing providers working in the social housing and disability sector. Support from Community Housing Aotearoa Incorporated includes supporting networks for providers, increasing their capability and providing these groups with a lobbying voice.

During 2007/08 the Corporation will:

• Further increase Community Group Housing stock by five homes
• Continue to provide the Rent Support Scheme and has $4.5 million in appropriated funding available to work with Community Group Housing customers and their service funders to identify and address affordability issues.

f) What objectives in the New Zealand Disability Strategy does this work connect with?

g) What part of your Statement of Intent and/or other strategic documents does this work connect with?

This work contributes to the Corporation’s Key Business Priorities as set out in our Statement of Intent 2007/08:

• Build diverse, strong and sustainable communities
• Understand that housing is more than a roof over people’s head
• Innovate in the development and delivery of services
• Lever partnerships with community and private organisations
• Develop organisational capacity to improve productivity
• Share responsibility for the New Zealand Housing Strategy

3) Housing innovation fund

a) What time period does this work cover?

• 2007/08

b) Please describe this work

• Housing New Zealand Corporation provides loans and grants to community-based organisations and local authorities to build capacity and acquire, build or purchase housing. The Housing Innovation Fund (HIF) was established because of the:
  • demand for social housing
  • limited government funding of community-based organisations that provide residential services
  • people with serious housing and other needs, such as people with a disability, whose housing needs may be better met by community or iwi providers.

c) What difference will this work make to disabled people’s lives?

• The Corporation will support the growth of community-based, iwi and local government social housing. Many of the providers receiving funding provide accommodation tailored for people with disabilities.

d) What wider goal does this work contribute to? Are there other pieces of work that also contribute to this goal?

This work contributes to:

• New Zealand Housing Strategy Areas:
  • Supply of sustainable housing o Improve housing assistance and affordability
  • Develop the private rental sector
  • Strengthen housing sector capability
  • Meeting diverse needs
• The Government’s Families – Young and Old theme. Ensuring that disabled people live in affordable, good quality, accessible housing that is integrated with the community and support services will contribute to the theme’s focus “that all families, young and old, have the support and choices they need to be secure and be able to reach their full potential within a knowledge based economy.”

e) How is progress in achieving this work being measured or to be measured?

During 2006/07 the Corporation planned to:

• Provide $14.65 million in Housing Innovation Fund support to third sector development through capacity building and demonstration housing projects throughout 2006/07

During 2006/07 the Corporation has:

• Made available or modernised an additional 384 units for the social housing sector through the provision of loans to community based organisations and local councils. Of these, 9 percent of the loan recipients provide accommodation to people with disability

During 2007/08 the Corporation will:

• Provide $12 million in Housing Innovation Fund support for third sector development through capacity building and demonstration housing projects

f) What objectives in the New Zealand Disability Strategy does this work connect with?

g) What part of your Statement of Intent and/or other strategic documents does this work connect with?

This work contributes to the Corporation’s Key Business Priorities as set out in our Statement of Intent 2007/08:

• Build diverse, strong and sustainable communities
• Understand that housing is more than a roof over people’s head
• Innovate in the development and delivery of services
• Lever partnerships with community and private organisations
• Develop organisational capacity to improve productivity
• Share responsibility for the New Zealand Housing Strategy

4) Case management

a) What time period does this work cover?

• 2007/08 and ongoing

b) Please describe this work

• The Corporation provides a housing need assessment and agency co-ordination service for state tenants/applicants with complex needs (including intellectual disabilities, personality disorders and mental health consumers), who require support from other agencies to ensure sustainability of their accommodation.

c) What difference will this work make to disabled people’s lives?

• The Corporation’s Case Managers help people with long-term disabilities live independently and safely in the community. They will seek to ensure customer’s housing is sustainable by linking with other agencies and service providers to address the customers wider social needs.

d) What wider goal does this work contribute to? Are there other pieces of work that also contribute to this goal?

This work contributes to:

• New Zealand Housing Strategy Areas:
  • Supply of sustainable housing
  • Improve access to home ownership o Improve housing quality
  • Strengthen housing sector capability
  • Meeting diverse needs
• The Government’s Families – Young and Old theme. Ensuring that disabled people live in affordable, good quality, accessible housing that is integrated with the community and support services will contribute to the theme’s focus “that all families, young and old, have the support and choices they need to be secure and be able to reach their full potential within a knowledge based economy.”

e) How is progress in achieving this work being measured or to be measured?

During 2006/07 the Corporation has:

• Continued to effectively assess customers needs and enhance the sustainability of their housing by linking with other agencies and service providers to address the customers’ wider social needs. Over the last year the Case Management service assisted 1,877 customers with complex needs, including many disabled customers.

During 2007/08 the Corporation will:

• continue to provide effective assessment of customers needs  continue to develop working relationships with local service providers and contribute to joined-up service delivery initiatives.

f) What objectives in the New Zealand Disability Strategy does this work connect with?

g) What part of your Statement of Intent and/or other strategic documents does this work connect with?

This work contributes to the Corporation’s Key Business Priorities as set out in our Statement of Intent 2007/08:

• Build diverse, strong and sustainable communities
• Understand that housing is more than a roof over people’s head
• Innovate in the development and delivery of services
• Lever partnerships with community and private organisations
• Develop organisational capacity to improve productivity
• Share responsibility for the New Zealand Housing Strategy

5) Suitable homes service

a) What time period does this work cover?

• 2007/08 and ongoing

b) Please describe this work

• The Corporation’s Suitable Homes Service helps people with physical disabilities access public or privately owned modified housing. The Corporation’s Case Managers can help people with the search for a suitable property whether they want to own or rent, and support them through the process of modifying their home.

c) What difference will this work make to disabled people’s lives?

• Helping people with long-term and high-need disabilities to access suitable housing that enables them to live independently and safely in the community.

d) What wider goal does this work contribute to? Are there other pieces of work that also contribute to this goal?

This work contributes to:

• New Zealand Housing Strategy Areas:
  • Supply of sustainable housing
  • Improve access to home ownership
  • Improve housing quality
  • Strengthen housing sector capability
  • Meeting diverse needs
• The Government’s Families – Young and Old theme. Ensuring that disabled people live in affordable, good quality, accessible housing that is integrated with the community and support services will contribute to the theme’s focus “that all families, young and old, have the support and choices they need to be secure and be able to reach their full potential within a knowledge based economy.”

e) How is progress in achieving this work being measured or to be measured?

During 2006/07 the Corporation has:

• Assisted 512 people to access suitably modified homes. During 2007/08 the Corporation will:
• continue to provide the Suitable Homes Service to meet the housing needs of people with physical disabilities.

f) What objectives in the New Zealand Disability Strategy does this work connect with?

g) What part of your Statement of Intent and/or other strategic documents does this work connect with?

This work contributes to the Corporation’s Key Business Priorities as set out in our Statement of Intent 2007/08:

• Build diverse, strong and sustainable communities
• Understand that housing is more than a roof over people’s head
• Innovate in the development and delivery of services
• Lever partnerships with community and private organisations
• Develop organisational capacity to improve productivity
• Share responsibility for the New Zealand Housing Strategy

6) Healthy housing

a) What time period does this work cover?

• 2007/08 and ongoing

b) Please describe this work

• The Healthy Housing programme is a collaborative initiative involving Housing New Zealand and four district health boards: Counties Manukau District Health Board (Counties Manukau DHB), Auckland District Health Board (Auckland DHB), Northland District Health Board (Northland DHB) and Hutt Valley Health. The programme has been acclaimed as a health innovation, winning the supreme 2005 New Zealand Health Innovations Award.
• Healthy Housing has the primary aim of reducing the risk of infectious diseases, particularly meningococcal disease, among families residing in Housing New Zealand’s properties. Over time, the programme’s scope broadened to encompass objectives around improving the health and welfare of Housing New Zealand households living in identified areas of extreme health risk and/or crowded conditions through collaborative activities with district health boards and social service agencies.
• The Healthy Housing programme has a number of intervention levels:
  • A housing intervention by Housing New Zealand aimed at reducing the risk of housing related diseases, conditions, and injuries.
  • A specific housing intervention designed to reduce overcrowding.
  • A health intervention by district health board public health nurses aimed at improving household access to primary health care services, and household knowledge and behaviour to improve health outcomes.
  • A joint intervention that identifies social wellbeing and support issues, and provides linking and facilitation to the appropriate government and social service agencies.
  • Development of household action plans to promote sustainability are initiated by Housing New Zealand as required for households whose houses are extended or who move into new houses.

c) What difference will this work make to disabled people’s lives?

• The Healthy Housing programme currently has four key aims:
  1. Improved health outcomes for Housing New Zealand’s households
  2. Improved welfare outcomes for Housing New Zealand’s households
  3. Reduction in the risk of housing related health problems
  4. Improved availability and quality of state housing for larger families.

d) What wider goal does this work contribute to? Are there other pieces of work that also contribute to this goal?

This work contributes to:

• New Zealand Housing Strategy Areas:
  • Supply of sustainable housing
  • Improve housing quality
  • Meeting diverse needs
• The Government’s Families – Young and Old theme. Ensuring that disabled people live in affordable, good quality, accessible housing that is integrated with the community and support services will contribute to the theme’s focus “that all families, young and old, have the support and choices they need to be secure and be able to reach their full potential within a knowledge based economy.”

e) How is progress in achieving this work being measured or to be measured?

During 2006/07 the Corporation has:

• Assisted a total of 1,750 households with Healthy Housing interventions.
• Expanded provision of the Healthy Housing programme to include the Hutt Valley area.

During 2007/08 the Corporation will:

• Complete a three-year evaluation of the Healthy Housing programme by the end of June 2007.

f) What objectives in the New Zealand Disability Strategy does this work connect with?

g) What part of your Statement of Intent and/or other strategic documents does this work connect with?

This work contributes to the Corporation’s Key Business Priorities as set out in our Statement of Intent 2007/08:

• Build diverse, strong and sustainable communities
• Understand that housing is more than a roof over people’s head
• Innovate in the development and delivery of services
• Lever partnerships with community and private organisations
• Develop organisational capacity to improve productivity
• Share responsibility for the New Zealand Housing Strategy

7) Housing New Zealand Corporation acquisition programme

a) What time period does this work cover?

• 2007/08 and ongoing

b) Please describe this work

• The Corporation provides, maintains and redevelops existing and new state housing stock to meet the housing needs of our customers, including disabled people. The Corporation’s annual acquisition programme continues to increase the supply of social housing stock through a mix of build, buy and lease housing solutions.

c) What difference will this work make to disabled people’s lives?

• Well-designed, well-constructed, and readily adaptable accommodation in localities with high levels of appropriate amenities such as shops and medical facilities.

d) What wider goal does this work contribute to? Are there other pieces of work that also contribute to this goal?

This work contributes to:

• New Zealand Housing Strategy Areas:
  • Supply of sustainable housing
  • Improve housing assistance and affordability
  • Improve housing quality
  • Meeting diverse needs
• The Government’s Families – Young and Old theme. Ensuring that disabled people live in affordable, good quality, accessible housing that is integrated with the community and support services will contribute to the theme’s focus “that all families, young and old, have the support and choices they need to be secure and be able to reach their full potential within a knowledge based economy.”

e) How is progress in achieving this work being measured or to be measured?

During 2006/07 the Corporation planned to:

• Increase its housing stock by 815 homes to help meet the demand for affordable social housing, particularly in Auckland.

During 2006/07 the Corporation has:

• Increased state housing stock by 863 homes. Of these new acquisitions, 62% were located within the Auckland region
• Continued to modify properties on a case by case basis to suit the specific disabilities of individual tenants, where new appropriate housing was not locally available. Of the Corporation’s total managed properties, 3,100 have been modified to suit disabled people.
• Continued to use universal design principles (such as lever taps and handles and minimum door widths) in all of the Corporation’s new builds to provide occupants of all physical capabilities with accessible housing.
• Continued to modernise and reconfigure the Corporation’s stock to better meet the needs of its current and future tenants, including disabled people. In addition, the Corporation continues to provide state housing that is purpose built for disabled people. For example, the ‘Atrium Apartments’ complex in Talbot Park (Auckland) was specifically built for older and disabled people and makes extensive use of universal design features (e.g. wet area showers and low bench tops, as well as remote control and push button front doors).

During 2007/08 the Corporation will:

• Further increase its housing stock by between 510 and 575 homes to help meet the demand for affordable social housing. Additionally, the Corporation will continue to:
• ensure all new housing meets the access standards set out in the New Zealand Building Code Section D, as applicable to residential design, and
• continue to apply the Corporation’s Development Guide to ensure minimum standards for new and modified housing are met and that state housing is readily adaptable for disabled people where appropriate.
• modify existing stock on a case by case basis where new appropriate housing is not locally available
• ensure all disability modifications comply with New Zealand Standard 4121 Code of Practice for Design for Access and Use of Buildings and Facilities by Disabled Persons

f) What objectives in the New Zealand Disability Strategy does this work connect with?

g) What part of your Statement of Intent and/or other strategic documents does this work connect with?

This work contributes to the Corporation’s Key Business Priorities as set out in our Statement of Intent 2007/08:

• Build diverse, strong and sustainable communities
• Understand that housing is more than a roof over people’s head
• Innovate in the development and delivery of services
• Lever partnerships with community and private organisations
• Develop organisational capacity to improve productivity
• Share responsibility for the New Zealand Housing Strategy

8) Social allocation system

a) What time period does this work cover?

• 2007/08 and ongoing

b) Please describe this work

• The Corporation allocates state housing by ‘housing need’, for example, to people who cannot access or sustain housing in the private sector that is suitable, adequate and affordable. Disabled people often find it difficult to access housing that is appropriate for their needs and the Social Allocation System gives priority to people who will otherwise find it difficult to find appropriate housing.
• The Social Allocation System assesses eligibility based on residency, income, assets and a household’s level of need. Applicants are assessed on:
  • the affordability of their current housing
  • the adequacy of their current housing
  • the suitability of their current housing (house size and overcrowding)
  • o their ability to access housing o their ability to sustain housing.

c) What difference will this work make to disabled people’s lives?

• Assistance for people on low incomes to access decent housing that is appropriate to their needs.

d) What wider goal does this work contribute to? Are there other pieces of work that also contribute to this goal?

This work contributes to:

• New Zealand Housing Strategy Areas: o Improve housing assistance and affordability
  • Meeting diverse needs
• The Government’s Families – Young and Old theme. Ensuring that disabled people live in affordable, good quality, accessible housing that is integrated with the community and support services will contribute to the theme’s focus “that all families, young and old, have the support and choices they need to be secure and be able to reach their full potential within a knowledge based economy.”

e) How is progress in achieving this work being measured or to be measured?

During 2006/07 the Corporation has:

• Maintained a Social Allocation System audit accuracy result of 94 percent over the financial year. During 2007/08 the Corporation will:
• Maintain a Social Allocation System audit accuracy result averaging no less than 95 percent over the financial year.

f) What objectives in the New Zealand Disability Strategy does this work connect with?

g) What part of your Statement of Intent and/or other strategic documents does this work connect with?

This work contributes to the Corporation’s Key Business Priorities as set out in our Statement of Intent 2007/08:

• Build diverse, strong and sustainable communities
• Understand that housing is more than a roof over people’s head
• Innovate in the development and delivery of services
• Lever partnerships with community and private organisations
• Develop organisational capacity to improve productivity
• Share responsibility for the New Zealand Housing Strategy

9) Income related rents

a) What time period does this work cover?

2007/08 and ongoing

b) Please describe this work

• Disabled households often have lower than average incomes and often face housing affordability issues. Low-income state house tenants are currently charged an Income-Related Rent (IRR), which means that that pay no more than 25 percent of their income on rent. Around 57,500 tenants (90 percent) pay Income-Related Rents, including a large number of disabled people. Additionally, 99 percent of all new tenants pay an Income-Related Rent.

c) What difference will this work make to disabled people’s lives?

• Assistance for people on low incomes to afford decent housing that is appropriate to their needs.

d) What wider goal does this work contribute to? Are there other pieces of work that also contribute to this goal?

This work contributes to:

• New Zealand Housing Strategy Areas:
  • Improve housing assistance and affordability
  • Meeting diverse needs
• The Government’s Families – Young and Old theme. Ensuring that disabled people live in affordable, good quality, accessible housing that is integrated with the community and support services will contribute to the theme’s focus “that all families, young and old, have the support and choices they need to be secure and be able to reach their full potential within a knowledge based economy.”

e) How is progress in achieving this work being measured or to be measured?

During 2006/07 the Corporation has:

• Maintained an Income Related Rent audit accuracy result of 97 percent over the financial year.

During 2007/08 the Corporation will:

• Maintain an Income Related Rent audit accuracy result averaging no less than 96 percent over the financial year.

f) What objectives in the New Zealand Disability Strategy does this work connect with?

g) What part of your Statement of Intent and/or other strategic documents does this work connect with?

This work contributes to the Corporation’s Key Business Priorities as set out in our Statement of Intent 2007/08:

• Build diverse, strong and sustainable communities
• Understand that housing is more than a roof over people’s head
• Innovate in the development and delivery of services
• Lever partnerships with community and private organisations
• Develop organisational capacity to improve productivity
• Share responsibility for the New Zealand Housing Strategy

New Zealand Sign Language Act 2006

1) Housing New Zealand communications strategy

a) What time period does this work cover?

• 2007/08 and ongoing

b) Please describe this work

• Housing New Zealand Corporation will be undertaking a detailed review of our Communication Strategy during 2007/08. This review will fully consider the requirements of the New Zealand Sign Language Act 2006.

c) What difference will this work make to Deaf people’s lives?

• Deaf people are able to access Housing New Zealand Corporation information, products and services and are consulted as appropriate on matters related to the New Zealand Sign Language Act 2006.

d) What wider goal does this work contribute to? Are there other pieces of work that also contribute to this goal?

This work contributes to:

• The New Zealand Housing Strategy - Area 7: Meeting diverse needs
  • The Government Theme Families – Young and Old. Ensuring that disabled people live in affordable, good quality, accessible housing that is integrated with the community and support services will contribute to the focus “that all families, young and old, have the support and choices they need to be secure and be able to reach their full potential within a knowledge based economy.”

e) How is progress in achieving this work being measured or to be measured?

• A review of the Housing New Zealand Corporation Communication Strategy is to be completed by 31 June 2008.

f) What objectives in the New Zealand Disability Strategy does this work connect with?

g) What part of your Statement of Intent and/or other strategic documents does this work connect with?

This work contributes to the following Corporation Key Business Priorities as set out in our Statement of Intent 2007/08:

• Improve productivity through building organisational capacity