Improving housing outcomes in Queenstown Lakes
We all choose to live and stay in the Queenstown Lakes District for many reasons. The unique environment, outdoor lifestyle, beauty and vibrancy of our places and diverse cultures make it easy to see why so many people want to make this special place their home. Unfortunately, many struggle to find a suitable home.
Housing is one of the biggest challenges our community faces. The root causes of housing unaffordability in the district are complex and centre on supply, choice, availability, and quality.
Housing is at the heart of creating secure, connected and caring communities, creating jobs and a diverse economy. It is also fundamental to sustainable and responsive urban planning and development.
Quick links
A snapshot of our housing challenge
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Approximately 27% of our housing stock is unoccupied.
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Some smaller and attached dwellings are being built. But many new properties are large, high value homes
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Data suggest about 649 houses were built beyond our needs of both population growth and short-term stay demand.
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Yet there is a reduction in housing supply: November 2021 (4,212) vs. November 2022 (4,119)
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The average Queenstown Lakes property value is 14x average household income. The NZ average is 9.
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Median weekly rent in Queenstown Lakes is $700 vs. $560 nationally (Feb 2023).
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860 households are on the Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust waitlist.
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Almost three quarters of respondents to a Queenstown Business Chamber survey said the availability of accommodation for staff is an issue for their business.
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How will the Joint Housing Action Plan tackle Queenstown Lakes' housing needs?
A Joint Housing Action Plan for Queenstown Lakes is now open for feedback. Head to letstalk.qldc.govt.nz to review the draft plan and make a submission.
At a glance, the Joint Housing Action Plan (JHAP) outlines a programme of work towards outcomes for a joint vision developed by the Grow Well Whaiora Partnership.
Vision
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Well-designed neighbourhoods and improved housing outcomes for homeowners and renters to develop thriving communities
Objectives
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Anyone who chooses to live here can access quality, stable, affordable housing now and into the future.
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Housing solutions to deliver better economic, social, cultural, and environmental outcomes to our community and New Zealand Inc.
The draft JHAP proposes nine solutions, each with their own set of actions
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Add more evidence and monitoring to demonstrate our distinct needs and direct investment in affordable housing
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Seek opportunities to develop and demonstrate affordable housing models on public and/or private land
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Enable affordable housing choices through legislative and other tools, such as Kāinga Ora’s Special Development Process
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Continue to support and amplify the work of Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust as a key enabler of affordable housing in the district
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Influence and incentivise developers to provide affordable housing
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Focus on rental solutions the district’s workforce in collaboration with the community
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Further develop public/private partnerships to deliver affordable housing and choice
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Implement National Policy Statement on Urban Development (NPS-UD) changes and review district plan to enable more affordable housing
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Design and implement structure plans (frameworks to guide the development or redevelopment of an area) with community
Work in progress
Other Joint Housing actions in progress
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Engage the community and businesses to address winter workforce short-term accommodation needs (Action 6A)
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Seek opportunities to repurpose vacant or underutilised Crown land (Action 2B)
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Enforce existing stakeholder deeds (Action 4B)
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Seek out alternative funding to support affordable housing (Action 4C and 7B)
News and articles
Reports, documents and resources
Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust (QLCHT)