Common Ground newsletter, May 2025
Topics:
Women R-Evolutionising Housing Hui—info & survey
CoHoHui—on the future of housing in Aotearoa
Participatory Permaculture Design for Thriving Neighbourhoods
Cooperative Living & Affordable Housing event—18 May near Motueka
Homefullness Show—upcoming episodes & first member
NZ Housing Survey—have your say for better housing choices
Community-Led and Affordable Housing--—a successful model
Housing Crisis Unlocked: The Legal Path to Affordable, Cooperative Living
In the latest episode of the Homefulness Show, Sophie, a PhD graduate in law, discusses her research on achieving affordable housing through collective and cooperative models.
The discussion covers the state of collective housing in New Zealand, challenges in changing the narrative around “only private” homeownership, and lessons from foreign models.
Sophie highlights the need for regulatory changes and stronger policies to recognize the right to housing as a human right. The conversation delves into practical solutions, legislative advancements, and spreading awareness about collective housing.
Cooperative Living, Tiny Home Challenges, Support for Landsharing
Around the country, people are trying to get their housing needs met with Tiny Homes on Wheels (THOW)*. Unfortunately, many are getting told by their council that they are in breach of the building act and the resource management act.
Policies differ and can even be contradictory between central and local government planning regulations—is it a building or a vehicle? What does fixed to land mean? How long can it be lived in before being considered a dwelling? These contradictions create insecurity for people living in tiny homes and for the landowners who have offered their land for a THOW to be parked.
Women catalysing affordable and collaborative housing and neighbourhood models
The Housing Older Women’s Movement contracted me to support them to roll out the My Home, Your Home, Our Homes community engagement series in SE QLD to catalyse affordable community-led housing. It was a successful and jam packed two weeks of events.
Planning Considerations for Cooperative Living
Planning considerations for cooperative living in the Tasman District, top of the South Island, Aotearoa NZ