Housing NZ Development - Roberton Rd, Avondale

The Team from Deborah Russell, MP for New Lynn

I understand there are some concerns in the community about the Housing NZ development on Roberton Rd, and that there is a community meeting tonight to discuss the concerns. Unfortunately, I have a pre-existing commitment which means that I can’t attend the meeting myself, so I thought I would let you know what Housing New Zealand have told me about the development.

The development will be 15 one bedroom flats. It is being built on land that is already owned by Housing New Zealand. The site previously had two older Housing New Zealand homes on it that were no longer fit for purpose. There is a huge unmet need for social housing in Auckland, and replacing two dwellings with fifteen dwellings will help with meeting this need. The development fits with the requirements of the Auckland Unitary Plan.

Some people have expressed concerns about who will be living in the dwellings, and particularly whether the tenants will be placed there by the Department of Corrections.

I have been told that the people who are placed in the new dwellings will come from the list of eligible tenants who have been assessed by the Ministry of Social Development as being in need of a place to live.

I think it is very important to understand that the development at 19 – 21 Roberton Rd is a standard Housing New Zealand site, like many throughout our community. At no time has it ever been suggested that it is being built specifically for Corrections.

Corrections states that:
"We’re committed to engaging with local communities across New Zealand to broaden understanding of our work. In Auckland, our staff have been meeting with schools, early learning service providers and other local groups to talk about how we manage people subject to community-based sentences and orders, and how we reintegrate people returning to the community from prison.

Corrections have not been involved in any community engagement about this Housing New Zealand development in Avondale.

Around 15,000 people are released from prison every year. The vast majority return home to family or make their own arrangements about where to live. Most offenders can choose where to live, or have provided the New Zealand Parole Board with a release plan (including proposed address) for consideration, prior to leaving prison. On some occasions (high-risk offenders, or those subject to electronic monitoring) offenders’ addresses must be approved by Community Corrections.

Some offenders do require assistance with finding a place to live. We contract almost 1000 supported and emergency accommodation places each year for offenders, delivered by contracted providers across New Zealand. Supported accommodation providers use a case management approach to transition offenders from prison to the community. Offenders are assisted to develop a reintegration plan, find sustainable accommodation; and reconnect with the community.

Probation officers work with offenders in the community to support them to live crime-free and comply with the conditions of their sentences or orders. Their work often involves problem-solving with offenders and assisting with practical support around employment, life skills and accommodation. "

Please contact me if you would like to discuss these issues further. I’ve already talked to some people about the development and passed on some concerns about the design to Housing New Zealand.

Once again, my apologies for not being at the meeting in person, due to my prior commitments.

As a final note, our community needs housing. This development is part of the on-going action the government is taking to resolve the problems we are facing in housing. If we are committed to looking after our community, then very simply, we need to build more homes.

Kind regards,

Deborah Russell