Social housing in New Zealand is facing a period of significant change with central government introducing major reforms in 2014 which reflect international trends of decreasing government involvement in housing provision (Clapham, 2005).
Housing New Zealand Corporation (HNZC), as the crown agent, has traditionally provided housing services to people in need (Murphy, 2003). Evidence of the 1980’s & 1990’s neoliberal reforms which reshaped New Zealand society (Kelsey, 1997) can be found in HNZC’S stated focus of “efficient and effective management of state houses and the tenancies of those living in them”(Housing New Zealand Corporation, 2015). In practice this focus seeks to provide affordable housing , even though references to social feature strongly in government discourse. The key objective of these current reforms is to “create a market with a diverse range of providers and a greater role of other providers” (Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment, 2015). This aim could be interpreted to suggest scope to enhance social outcomes, but how such outcomes might be achieved are still to be decided. Social service providers, not for profit housing providers and local councils are now reflecting on how they will fit into this new landscape. Amid the anticipated increase in community based social housing providers, the question of what contribution social enterprise might bring to this new dynamic (see for example Blessing, 2015; Czischke, Gruis, & Mullins, 2012) is but one of many to consider.
This paper presents research in progress which seeks to understand how SE might fit into the emerging New Zealand social housing environment, with a specific focus on the Hamilton City/Waikato region. Challenging the traditional tendency to apply positivist approaches to housing research, Clapham (2005) and Jacobs and Manzi (2000) advocate for a social constructionist approach which ensures the discourse of stakeholders is recognised as important, along with their interactions and negotiations. Building on this epistemological approach collaborative, participant based action research (Reason & Bradbury, 2001) is presented where I have worked alongside key local stakeholders seeking to develop a social housing strategy.
Although the intent and stated objectives of the reforms has been made clear by government, how this policy will become action is still to be decided at a national level. Consistent with social constructionist concerns Marsh (1998) identifies how policy is but one influence which shapes social housing. Policy is located within the context of many other influences at macro and micro levels. For example, demographic, social and economic change all has direct influence on social housing at the macro (national) level. Influences at the micro (e.g. regional/city level) may be more variable. Analyses of conversations with participants and key themes which have emerged help indicate driving influences upon the strategy building process, which in turn helps determine where and how social enterprise might fit into this new environment. Understanding of this emerging New Zealand context can then be developed further to incorporate international comparisons.
References
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Clapham, D. (2005). The meaning of housing. A pathways approach. Bristol, U.K.: The Policy Press.
Czischke, D., Gruis, V., & Mullins, D. (2012). Conceptualising social enterprise in housing associations. Housing Studies, 27(4).
Housing New Zealand Corporation. (2015). Housing New Zealand, 2015, from www.hnzc.co.nz
Jacobs, K., & Manzi, A. (2000). Evaluating the social constructionist paradigm in housing research. Housing, Theory and Society, 17(1), 35-42.
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Marsh, A. (1998). Processes of change in housing and public policy. In A. Marsh & D. Mullins (Eds.), Housing and public policy. Citizenship, choice and control. Buckingham, U.K.: Open University Press.
Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment. (2015). Housing, 2015, from http://www.mbie.govt.nz/what-we-do/housing
Murphy, L. (2003). Reasserting the 'social' in social rented housing: Politics, housing policy and housing reforms in New Zealand. International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, 27(1), 90-101.
Reason, P., & Bradbury, H. (2001). Introduction. Inquiry and participation in search of a world worthy of human aspiration. In P. Reason & H. Bradbury (Eds.), Handbook of action research. London: Sage Publications.
