Major survey of local renters complete

An independent market research survey of residential renters in Queenstown and Wanaka was conducted by the local Housing Trust last month – with important findings for the community.

More than 1100 renters completed the online survey, conducted by independent market researcher, Marijke Dunselman, of Strategies Marketing Consultancy Ltd.

It is the largest survey of its type ever undertaken in the Queenstown Lakes District and follows on from previous research undertaken by the Trust in 2012.

Survey results highlight significant housing stress in the local rental market with the following key findings;

• 92% of respondents consider, or possibly consider, housing affordability a barrier to their long term commitment to the District.

• 87% of respondents who have rented in other parts of NZ consider the affordability in the District worse than the rest of the country;

• 80% of people who have rented in other parts of NZ consider overcrowding of rental properties in the District worse than the rest of the country.

The findings support the on-going work of the Trust, which in collaboration with Council, was created to manage and deliver affordable housing solutions to residents who cannot afford it.

Trust Executive Officer, Julie Scott, notes that the Trust receives on-going high demand for housing assistance “We have had over 1000 households register their interest with the Trust since our inception in 2007. These survey results confirm the feedback we receive every day in conversations with stressed families. Queenstown is reaching a crisis point for low to moderate income workers as they struggle to find somewhere affordable to live”.

The survey report, along with full findings, will be made publically available later this month.

ENDS

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