1. That:
(i)(a) an age limit of 55 years and a requirement for applicants to be on an invalids benefit continue to apply to those complexes where a requirement for such conditions was imposed at the time the complexes were built.
(i)(b) those units previously known as ‘Public Rental', continue to be available for tenanting without any age restriction.
(ii) an application for resource consent be made where necessary to facilitate occupancy by any person of units at complexes constructed for the ‘Elderly'.
(iii) the following Residency Status criteria be applied in defining eligibility of City Housing accommodation:
- Immigrants granted Refugee Status.
- Immigrants in possession of a New Zealand Residence Visa With most recent date of.
- Immigrants in possession of a New Zealand Residence Permit entry stamps in passport.
- Immigrants in possession of a Returning Residence Visa more than 2 years old.
(iv) Income levels for eligibility purposes be established at the level of National Superannuation x 1.5; from 1 April 2012 this will be:
Family type annual income
- Single Person - living alone $27,215.76 net or $523.38 net per week
- Other Household (combined income) $41,807.40 net or $805.20 net per week
These levels to be adjusted periodically in accordance with movements in the rates of National Superannuation.
(v) Asset levels for eligibility purposes be established from 1 December 2003, at:
Single person living alone $20,000
Married couple or a couple in a relationship in the nature of a marriage $30,000.
These levels to be adjusted annually in accordance with the rate of inflation, linked to income levels in this policy.
Assets include :
- All motor vehicles
- Prepaid funeral expenses in excess of $10,000
- Cash-in-hand
- Bank deposits
- Private Superannuation schemes
- Bonus bonds
- Family trusts
- Other investments
- Boats
- Other items of value in excess of $3,216
- Real estate. However, Team Leader/Manager to have discretion to apply full or limited dispensation where the applicant is unable to utilise real estate due to marriage/partnership dissolution settlement subject to solicitor's confirmation and statutory declaration process; in instances of this type a six month fixed contract to apply.
Assets do not include furniture or personal effects.
(vi) The following housing need criteria be adopted:
(i) Affordability
Inability to afford housing in the private market. Ability to afford City Housing rental on a sustained basis.
In assessing affordability, the following checks and balances will be applied:
- Net income = after deduction of lawful expenses e.g. Court Orders/IRD etc.
- Income of all household members to be housed to be taken into account.
- Boarders and subleasing not permitted.
- Credit checks will be required of all applicants to determine if there are high debt levels, which may mitigate against the ability to afford the rent and to determine if there is a significant history of rental arrears.
(ii) Adequacy
This takes into account the physical condition/structure of present accommodation.
(iii) Suitability
- Suitability of City Housing accommodation to meet applicants' needs.
- Ability of applicant to function appropriately in an intensive housing environment.
- Social compatibility with existing tenants in specific complex.
(iv) Accessibility
- Ease of application/allocation process.
- Location including ability to access transport services, shops, medical and other support services, and proximity to friends/relatives/care-givers.
- Design features for applicants with special needs.
(v) Sustainability
- Ability to afford rent on a long-term basis.
- Ability to live harmoniously and independently (in some instances Management Plans will be required from recognised care-givers).
- Security of tenure – has a proven need for housing.
- Suitability of City Housing accommodation for foreseen future needs e.g. age, medical conditions etc.
(vii) The wait-list categorisation based on the following be adopted:
Category A : Immediate housing needs assessed around factors of homelessness, current accommodation unsuitable/substandard, pending tenancy termination in less than 30 days.
Category B : Moderate housing need; assessed around factors of current housing overcrowded, pending tenancy termination in 30-90 days.
Category C : Low level housing need; applies to applicants who are eligible but do not meet the Category A or B criteria.
Category D : Not eligible; this is an administrative requirement for database purposes and will normally be determined without an interview being required. However, it is possible some applicants may prove eligibility on paper but when interviewed present in such a manner that it is considered they constitute too great a risk to other tenants' wellbeing.
(viii) Tenants income/assets be reviewed annually and where a tenant's income and/or asset level exceeds the approved limits the rent increase to market rent at a date which is in accordance with the provisions of the Residential Tenancies Act 2010.
2. That the following current policy statement be rescinded as subsections (i), (iv), (v) and (vi) take account of these factors:
"Council Housing Policy - Welfare Services"
That housing needs be defined on the basis of the following factors:
- Age
- Income
- Level of assets
- Quality of existing accommodation
- Access to services
- Ability to cope
- Overcrowding
- Safety
Council
11 December 2003
