Paekākāriki Looks To Its Community To Help With The Housing Crisis

Small Additional Dwellings They Say Are Part Of The Answer

It’s a fact: house prices now make the dream of owning land unaffordable for many. Including the family and friends, young and old, of those who already own property.

This has led the Paekākāriki Housing Trust on the Kāpiti Coast to launch this autumn an Additional Dwellings Project, with support from their local council.

It looks to empower this small, beachside village’s property owners to create affordable and appropriate one to two bedroom additional homes on their land. The case studies the Paekākāriki Housing Trust is sharing range from kitset homes and architectural designs to converted sleepouts and a renovated, relocated old school dental clinic - all built and developed by local village professionals. Then there’s the option others have taken up of dividing and/or extending their current homes to provide a flat.

It’s work that’s been getting more attention recently with the government’s new so-dubbed ‘granny flats legislation’.

Paekākāriki Housing Trust themselves gained national media attention ten years ago when, as a small group of locals, they purchased a house for a beloved local family facing leaving the village through 100% funding from their community. They have since partnered with local iwi and social housing providers for the purchase of another, and worked to provide stable rentals with local property owners.

Starting Thursday April 2, the Additional Dwellings Project features a series of free workshops and site visits, and a series of films and case studies being developed to share online. They say it’s a way of capitalizing on the enormous knowledge and skills already within their community.

“We are thinking of those we know it’s hard for: our mana whenua, our elderly, young adults, single-parent families, and creatives,” says Paekākāriki Housing Trust Chair Tina Pope.

“Aotearoa remains in the grips of a housing crisis, and we know as a community we have a lot to share to make a difference in seeing those most vulnerable able to stay here. The village is full of inspiring diverse examples of additional homes. And full of professionals with expertise in this area.”

Pope notes that Kāpiti Coast District Council have picked up the idea, releasing an online guide for Kāpiti residential property owners thinking of adding an additional dwelling.

The government’s new legislation as of January 15 allows small standalone additional dwellings up to 70 square metres in size without needing a building or resource consent but there are, they say, plenty of conditions which mean owners need to consider what they want carefully.

“The options vary widely in cost and complexity,” says Pope, “but even the most expensive can pay themselves back over a realistic period, given the great demand for housing we have.

“We can't fix the market forces but our culture of connectedness and care, and proven track record as a housing trust sees us able to respond to this need through innovative, community led-solutions.”

The first workshop on Thursday April 2 will focus on the sharing of local knowledge on design options and is followed by an Additional Dwelling Guide workshop, run by KCDC and Homes For Good.

Workshops three and four follow on, looking at finance and legal options, and particular Paekākāriki challenges, like the capacity and location of septic tanks and the village’s sand dune terrain. In addition walking tours will provide site visits to existing homes for Paekākāriki residents, with bookings to be made via paekakarikihousingtrust@gmail.com

Additional Dwellings Workshops: St Peter’s Hall,
Workshops: Thursday 6-8pm: April 2, April 16,April 30, and Sunday 31 May at 12.30pm.
Site visits: 2pm Saturday April 4 and Sunday April 19

© Scoop Media