Some Papamoa residents have raised concerns over the proposed transitional housing planned for the area.

On June 23, residents were sent a letter from Scott Gallacher, Deputy Chief Executive of Housing for the Ministry of Social Development, outlining plans by Housing NZ and MSD to develop new transitional housing on vacant land owned by Tauranga City Council at 45 Opal Drive, Papamoa.

The plans are for 19 new two- and three-bedroom homes to be onsite by late August. The site is currently vacant and part of it has been designated in the long-term for future use for affordable housing by TCC.

The letter outlines how the homes would be managed by an on-site provider, which would look after the properties and also provide support to the people living there. It states people living in the homes would be families and children who would be expected to stay in the houses for an average of 12 weeks or longer if required, while they are helped to secure housing that is more permanent.

The families would continue to receive support for a further three months once they move into more permanent accommodation such as social housing.

Included with the letter is a fact sheet showing what the houses would look like, and a fact sheet outlining how transitional housing programme works, with examples of other similar homes.

Residents expressed concern in the Papamoa Link Facebook group about who would be living in the transitional housing, for how long, and the impact on local schools and the neighbourhood.

Some residents agree with the sentiment expressed by Andrew Coogan that ‘we need to be doing more as a country and community to get children off the street and into suitable housing. At face value, this plan seems like a step in the right direction.' Another resident wrote ‘when we have mums and kids who are unable to find permanent accommodation and are sleeping in cars, we need to collectively step up as a community and act.'

Others feel differently.

'My concern is there will be short term tenants who need to be taught how to sustain a long term tenancy,” wrote Papamoa resident Andrea Kelly on June 27. 'What sort of people cannot sustain a long term tenancy? P addicts? Gangs? Trouble makers, bad parents and their misfit children, etc etc. Sounds harsh but I'm concerned about our community here. I'm concerned about adding to the pockets of trouble in Redditch Place/Opal/Topaz. This sort of housing unfortunately brings trouble, and in bulk. Just to add, I am all for good parents, genuine good people in need getting into housing, e.g. women in refuge, single mums. I am not happy about the transitional nature of the houses, bringing in the "dregs of society" into our community, our schools.”

A post that Andrea made in the Papamoa Link group asking for thoughts, concerns and opinions from home owners surrounding the proposed new development has resulted in over 500 comments.

'I live right by this spot and I'm feeling pretty chuffed Papamoa will be providing this for others. It's a good spot, everything is ten minutes' walk away,” wrote one.

'I think we all need a little more info on who they actually plan to put in these houses,” wrote another.

Bay of Plenty MP Todd Muller returned from Auckland on Thursday night following the request for a meeting with a group of nearby residents.

'In response to some of the resident's concerns, I went to meet them on Friday morning,” says Todd.

'I listened to their concerns and shared them back to the ministry and the council. I've pushed for a public community drop-in meeting to occur this coming week, and for it to be extended to a sufficient amount of time for people to be able to come in.”

Todd says the meeting location room will be confirmed on Monday morning, with the plan for the drop-in meeting to be held at the Papamoa Community Library centre on Wednesday July 5 in the afternoon and evening.

Tauranga City Councillor Leanne Brown says that since April 2017 the Ministry of Social Development Housing Unit has been developing a proposal for use of the Opal Drive site.

'Consistent with the approach followed by all developers, [MSD Housing Unit] have submitted a resource consent application to Tauranga City Council on the evening of June 23. The plans are for 19 new two and three-bedroom homes built to modern building and design standards. They would be landscaped to include play areas and plenty of green space.

'Tauranga City Council is currently processing this resource consent application. It is anticipated that a decision will be made within the statutory 20 working days, but this is a work in progress. The processing of the application will reveal whether it is to be notified or not.”

Leanne says that people with alcohol, substance or drug dependency, or people who have demonstrated previous anti-social behaviour would not qualify to access Opal Drive homes.

'Just to clarify, this won't be a facility for mental health or drug addiction treatment,” says Todd. 'What we are talking about is modular housing that will help local families who are struggling to find permanent accommodation. From my perspective as the local MP, having mums and kids sleeping in cars isn't acceptable and I'm pleased the government is responding to our communities needs and delivering housing.”

Andrea argues it hasn't been thought through properly.

'Leaving vulnerable displaced people to move into these transitional short term homes, to start to make local connections with schools, the community and local support services, only to then be moved on to yet another community and services, as the rentals around here are affordable to many now. That is unfair on the parents and children and actually adding to their stress, and the children's sense of trust and security which impacts on their mental health.

'The problem is the way this had been handled and the lack of info. The drop in info day on Wednesday will hopefully help with that, but unfortunately there will only be representative of MSD and council there to explain the process, not the decision makers. A lot of people feel railroaded.”

Transitional Housing

The fact sheet included with the letter to Papamoa residents outlines how transitional housing is a new approach to housing, providing warm, secure short-term accommodation for people in need – along with tailored social support while they're there.

Transitional housing is not the same as emergency housing or the emergency housing special needs grant. The emergency housing special needs grant is a one-off grant to cover immediate housing costs for a period of seven days.

Families and individuals stay in transitional housing for an average of 12 weeks or more while their needs are assessed and longer term housing is organised.

During that time, social support is provided to address issues they may face and to develop their skills to secure and sustain a long-term tenancy

The government anticipates there will be more than 2000 transitional housing places across New Zealand by the end of the year.

These places are in Auckland and other cities and towns across New Zealand including Hamilton, Tauranga, Rotorua, Napier and Hastings, Palmerston North, Wellington, Nelson, Blenheim, Christchurch and Dunedin.

Transitional housing is diverse. In some cases individual, stand-alone residential homes can be used for transitional housing. In other cases it may be larger developments, including former motels or purpose-built housing.

The government's investment in transitional housing is $354 million. People living in transitional housing pay rent of up to 25 per cent of their income, which is in line with income related rents for social housing. The balance is subsidised to providers by the government.