Inclusionary Housing in Queenstown

As planners, we know that we need to make towns and cities inclusive and safe for our diverse communities. However, while the importance of social equity is recognised, the challenge lies in translating these intentions into effective policies and plans.

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) has been grappling with this issue, in the context of housing. Housing and housing unaffordability is one of the biggest challenges this community faces, the root causes of which are complex and include supply, choice, availability, and quality. QLDC has been actively addressing affordable housing for many years, and has undertaken steps to address housing challenges; most recently through the proposed introduction of Inclusionary Housing provisions into the District Plan to help more people access affordable housing in the district. The proposal would require most new residential subdivisions / developments to pay an ‘affordable housing financial contribution’, the contributions of which would be provided to the Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust or another registered Community Housing Provider. The proposal is about enduring access as well as affordability – creating a housing asset for the community in perpetuity.

To understand its potential social impacts, and to provide a body of social evidence for the plan change, a Social Impact Assessment (SIA) has been undertaken. The presentation will provide commentary on this SIA, including process and high-level findings, and will speak more generally to the benefits of using SIA as a policymaking tool, and some unintended consequences that can arise when social evidence is not taken into consideration.