23 May 2022
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Regulatory action relating to emergency housing providers
Enquiry
I'm just doing an update on how the council is getting on with getting the non Government-contracted emergency housing motels to comply to regulatory requirements.
Can someone please let me know the following by 10am tomorrow?
How many motels have you contacted?
How many are in the process of getting the resource consent they need to continue to offer emergency housing?
How many have not responded?
How many have you taken court action against?
Please let me know any other relevant information you think will be helpful.
Subsequent additional questions following receipt of response from JP Gaston:
I don’t suppose you’re releasing the names of the motels?
Also, what court is it?
While on the topic, is there a date set yet for the independent commissioners to decide whether or not to publicly notify the 13 resource consent applications relating to HUD's contracted motels?
FOR MAYOR CHADWICK:
I've just been told the council has taken court action against nine non-govt contracted motels relating to complying with regulatory requirements for having emergency housing.
Have you been pushed to do this given the state of some of these motels?
Why didn't the council take this action earlier?
Is it a difficult decision to make given hundreds could potentially be without somewhere to live?
Response
See below which can be attributed to Deputy CE District Development Jean-Paul Gaston:
We have now filed documents with the courts seeking an enforcement order on the 9 premises previously engaged with.
The matter is now in the hands of the courts.
Across the next two weeks the remaining operators providing non-contracted emergency housing will receive an initial invitation to engage with Council in order to ensure that if they want to continue providing emergency housing they are compliant with the relevant regulations and requirements.
Provided in response to subsequent questions:
I don't suppose you're releasing the names of the motels?
Not at this stage but if this changes we will let you know
Also, what court is it?
Environment Court
How many remaining operators are there? Or estimated to be?
Am working on getting this info for you and will send through as soon as I’m able to get it.
Is there a date set yet for the independent commissioners to decide whether or not to publicly notify the 13 resource consent applications relating to HUD's contracted motels?
Will try and get back to you re this tomorrow as the person I need to check with is in meetings
From Mayor Chadwick:
"This is a regulatory decision but I know that staff always attempt to engage with those concerned – as they have in this case – prior to any decision to take regulatory action and that action like this is always a last resort.
"You’ll be aware that Rotorua Lakes Council has been working closely with central government to get an end-to-end support system in place for people needing emergency accommodation and that is now in place. The council organisation also has an obligation to ensure people are in accommodation that is safe and fit-for-purpose."
*NOTE TO REPORTER: as has previously been outlined by JP see HERE which overviews what has happened so far re emergency housing, the progression to now move to regulatory action and the fact that a staged approach is being taken to mitigate the potential for any adverse impacts on those in emergency accommodation and the wider community. This also includes a link to the part of the meeting where JP presented on this if you want to have a listen + it includes a link to presentation slides that he spoke to.