Coalition for More Homes NZ

22/09/2022

We are excited to share with you our submission guide for Auckland Council's Plan Change 78!

Have your say on the proposed changes to the Unitary Plan which will implement new intensification rules, and influence the urban form of Auckland for decades.

Great submissions are personal & specific about the changes you want. Our Guide is designed to prompt & help you to write your own submission about how these changes will affect you or your community.

E.g. Do you live in expensive, mouldy housing far away from work and education? Are there limited housing choices where you want to live or the size and typology you want to live in?

We’ve broken our guide into sections. Don’t feel like you have to submit on everything – pick and choose the parts that are most important and relevant to you or your neighbourhood. We’ve included the technical detail and some references you need to make your submission stronger.

Check out the guide here:

Plan Change 78: More Homes Submission Guide Who and what is this submission for? Plan Change 78 (PC78) is Auckland Council’s response to a central government directive to enable housing supply across Auckland (aka NPS-UD and MDRS). PC78 proposes changes to the Auckland Unitary Plan - the plann...

20/09/2022

Voting is now open for Auckland’s local government elections.

This is your chance to influence who sits around the Council table, representing you & your community for the next 3 years.

We need Councillors who make decisions to enable greater housing choice - more homes in the right places & density done well. These decisions are needed to improve housing quality, affordability, & access to transport & amenities, to create convenient & liveable neighbourhoods

To help you vote, we’ve taken a look at how each current Councillor has voted on housing over their term. Most current Councillors are running for re-election too (18 out of 20).

We’ve reviewed voting records from Planning Committee meetings for any vote concerning housing supply in Auckland since Council has had to respond to the NPS-UD and MDRS.

Check out the scores for each sitting Councillor below.

Voting is now open for Auckland’s local government elections. This is your chance to influence who sits around the Council table. We need Councillors who can make decisions to enable greater housing choice.

29/07/2022

Next week Auckland Council Planning Committee is set to vote to notify the plan change responding to the National Policy Statement on Urban Development and Medium Density Standards.

Today we have written to Councillors, encouraging them to consider the needs of all Aucklanders, not just the loudest voices, in this vote and to rethink the decision to omit the Light Rail Corridor from the plan change.

This currently uncommitted and unfunded project is at least 10 years away, if it is ever delivered... Delaying upzoning this will be a significant lost opportunity to enable more homes in what is already some of the most accessible and logical locations for more homes.

22/07/2022

The need for affordable, warm, healthy homes in the right places has been continually under represented in Auckland's housing debate.

The Resource Management (Enabling Housing Supply and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2021 and National Policy Statements on Urban Development provided some welcome relief, enforcing much needed standards like allowing higher densities around urban centres and three storey homes in most locations. These changes give Aucklanders real housing choice, instead of forcing us to outer suburbs or into expensive substandard living in inner-suburbs.

Sadly, they're under serious threat. Next Sunday July 31st, at 3pm in St Matthew-in-the-city, groups from every corner are meeting with MPs to push them into repealing these changes, and return to rules that've failed to provide the basics of a liveable city. No medium density homes around urban centres (Including the CBD!). No apartments near train stations or major bus routes.

We're going to be there, fighting back, speaking up for everyone struggling to buy a home or pay rent. But it's going to be a whole lot easier if you're with us.

If you want to show MPs how important housing choice is, join us from 2:45pm Sunday July 31st at St-Matthew-in-the-City. Bring a sign, bring questions, but most of all, bring your voice.

03/07/2022

’s Special Character Areas are not consistent or good planning policy. They are simply a tool to stop development of housing in areas where it makes the most sense

23/06/2022

We regularly hear that Special Character restrictions only cover 3% of the residential land available for intensification.

However, it makes density illegal in 41% of land within 5km of the city and >90% of the inner most suburbs which are best suited to density

30/11/2021

Great piece by Eugenie Sage, that highlights to why the density enabled by the RMA Housing Bill is a fantastic first step to achieving affordability and choice, that also connects with our critiques of what changes are needed so the Bill supports great environmental outcomes.

OPINION: A comprehensive plan for housing in Aotearoa has to include taxing property wealth.

21/11/2021

Density is great for a young people if it supports safer transport networks and brings them closer to places of learning and play. Flip side of this is then parents can then spend less time dropping off and picking up.

Well put in this opinion piece by Christchurch rāngatahi, Thomas Blaikie 👏🏽

OPINION: These qualities of a connected and close community, where people find others to bond with, are where I see our future.

16/11/2021

Last few hours to submit on the RMA Enabling Housing Supply Bill! If you have a bit of spare time, let Parliament know that more homes are wanted, but in a way that supports high-amenity, sustainable and vibrant places.

If you need some inspiration, our friends at Urban Design Forum NZ summarised and linked our submission: https://urbandesignforum.org.nz/2021/11/rma-reform/coalition-for-more-homes-shows-auckland-council-the-way/

And when you're ready to submit: https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/sc/make-a-submission/document/53SCEN_SCF_BILL_116288/resource-management-enabling-housing-supply-and-other

The most commonly occurring building type in the vast majority of global cities is a three-storey terraced house. Its front faces the street and is built up

11/11/2021

We’re happy to share our alternative Medium Density Residential Standards (MDRS) today. We support the Bill and are pleased by it's bipartisan support as a strong acknowledgment of the seriousness of New Zealand’s housing crisis, however it needs some adjustments to ensure that good design and supply outcomes are achieved.

CFMH’s submission is informed by consultation we undertook with a number of architects and urban designers who recommended changes to better support positive design outcomes - engagement with the street; minimisation or avoidance of wasted space surrounding dwellings; typology diversity; useable rear yards - at medium densities.

Have a read of our press release learn more about our submission and why the rules proposed by CFMH will support good design outcomes while addressing supply and affordability issues.

https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO2111/S00134/less-sausage-flats-more-perimeter-blocks.htm