Housing
Introduction
Stable, long term, affordable housing in a good condition is the ideal for high livability and wellbeing outcomes. However, narratives and data gathered from Ruapehu communities indicate that access to housing appropriate to need is becoming increasingly difficult, and that these issues are affecting health, education, employment, and are also perceived to be contributing to social issues.
Community narratives indicate that high income earners from out of district, a strong tourism industry focus, holiday homes, and the national housing crisis, are pricing locals out of the rental housing and ownership markets. Narratives indicate that these issues are affecting the quality and stability of housing accessible to permanent residents and those seeking to move into the district for long term and seasonal employment.
Key themes
- Low levels of home ownership
- High proportion of short term stays and holiday homes affecting access to stable long term rental options
- Increasing unaffordability for Ruapehu residents relative to local incomes (ownership and rental)
- Tourism focus and seasonality affecting permanent residents
- Lack of housing affecting employment
In this section
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Kakahi
Until recently, housing was readily available in Kakahi. In terms of buying houses, residents felt that houses were selling quicker.
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National Park
There is low availability of houses to rent and buy in National Park, A significant proportion of houses are unoccupied for most of the year and are only used as holiday homes.
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Ohakune
Increased tourism has affected housing supply for permanent residents as a large proportion of homes are used for short term accommodation.
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Ohura
Prices of houses have increased markedly in the past five years and there are fewer houses on the market although the quality of housing overall was considered poor.
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Owhango
There is low availability of houses to rent or buy in Owhango. The quality of housing is considered good although it was noted that there are empty homes that remain unkempt.
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Raetihi
Social housing or housing options for low income families is seen as lacking with overcrowding in winter considered a significant issue.
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Taumarunui
There are houses available are for sale in Taumarunui, but they were increasing only affordable to people moving in to Taumarunui from other areas.
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Waiouru
The most significant area of resident housing in Waiouru belongs to the Army. Smaller areas of housing outside the Army exist but there are very few good quality houses available for renting or sale.
