8 December 2004

Seeking solutions for affordable housing in the city

Auckland City’s Community Development and Equity Committee has requested research on partnership opportunities to increase the availability of low-cost or affordable housing.

The report is to consider opportunities between private and public organisations to provide appropriate and cost-effective options for developing affordable housing within the city.

“The responsibility to provide affordable housing cannot only lie with central government if it’s to be successful in meeting community needs,” says Councillor Cathy Casey, chairperson of the Community Development and Equity Committee.

“The council has a responsibility to provide for the social wellbeing of Auckland city’s residents and ratepayers, and this report will provide options for Auckland City to work with housing providers to increase the amount of affordable housing.

“There’s no doubt the need is there and the gap between those who are and aren’t surviving in the private rental market is widening,” says Dr Casey.

“It’s beneficial for both businesses and staff if people can work within a reasonable distance of where they live. In Auckland city we have low-income families travelling significant distances to work. It’s essential for the city’s future to address these issues.”

The report will be reported to the Community Development and Equity Committee in February 2005.

ENDS

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Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>