75% of renters are unhappy with the housing options they have, while 53% cannot afford to purchase a home, a report has found.
The Urban Advisory report reveals that New Zealanders desire a greater variety of housing choices and increased housing mobility, with co-housing emerging as a preferred option.
The data is based on a peer-reviewed survey of over 2,587 respondents aged 16 and older.
59% of the respondents support co-housing, while 29% are into community land trusts.
Other types of structures supported by respondents are:
- Residential co-operatives (32%)
- Shared Ownership (23%)
- Rent to buy (34%)
- Built to rent (19%)
“There’s a big gap between what people want and what sort of housing is being delivered,” Urban Advisory managing director Dr Natalie Allen said.
“The gap is between the public housing sector and the private market, and to bridge it will require flexible support and more housing options.”
“This gap is a critical issue because secure tenure is foundational to positive social and economic outcomes for people.
“The lack of options poorly serves this ‘missing middle’, and they are key segments of the population that include our rapidly ageing population, Māori and Pacific Island peoples and the key workers that keep our towns and cities going.”
The supply of quality townhouses near amenities has also not kept up with their growing popularity, as 59% of respondents were willing to consider living in a townhouse, but only 36% actually did.
Neighbourhood characteristics were important to over 40% of respondents, with safety from crime and proximity to services and amenities like schools and public transport ranked as the top priorities.