Christchurch mayor Lianne Dalziel has announced two initiatives to tackle the city's housing shortage.
They were revealed at a forum on Monday, co-hosted by the mayor and the Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee, to update people on the progress of the rebuild since the February 2011 earthquakes.
Lianne Dalziel. Photo: RNZ
Ms Dalziel said the council had dropped the ball when it came to repairing its own social housing as a way to ease pressure on the inflated rental market.
To make amends, she said, the council will work more collaboratively with charitable groups and the Government to get more social housing built.
That will start with a 45 unit development in Hornby, where the first sod will be turned next week.
Ms Dalziel says the development is an example of the collaborative approach the council wants to take.
"What it involves is the council selling the land, the Housing Foundation of New Zealand taking up an overarching role then engaging with others - Abbeyfield and other housing providers - who have got the expertise and the knowledge."
To demonstrate the council's commitment to easing the housing shortage, Ms Dalziel said the council will this week establish a standing committee to deal with the problem.
