Candidate Jonathan Coppard answers Renters United’s questions

VOTE HOUSING: LOCAL BODY 2022

Renters United asked every candidate in the Paekawakawa/Southern Ward 17 questions about the issues that most concern renters in their ward. Here are Jonathan Coppard’s responses in full.

Rapid fire questions

Are you a renter? Yes
Do you own any properties? No
Do you support the Renters United Healthy Homes Commitment? Yes
Do you commit to funding tenant advocacy? Yes
Do you support councils retaining ownership an expanding supply of council housing? Yes
Will you lobby for IRRS to be extended to councils? Yes
Do you commit to densifying inner city suburbs? Yes
Will you commit to using your platform to abolish the ratepayers roll? Yes

Stable homes

What actions would you take to improve stability and security for private renters?

No answer provided

How will you ensure all council tenants have security of tenure?

No answer provided

What steps will you take to end homelessness in Wellington?

The number of people sleeping rough on our streets is a sign of the utter failure of local and central government in letting the housing crisis go unaddressed. On council I would be looking at how we could support and expand existing groups working in the area, and if neccessary I believe council is ultimately responsible for ensuring people have a warm, safe place to sleep at night.

Meaningful enforcement

If elected, would you take steps to tackle persistent bad landlords who do not meet their obligations to renters in your area? If so, what?
Renters should have the best information available to them when deciding whether or not to rent a property. The council could help with this by providing a publicly accessible database of issues with landlords or rental properties to help people make the best decisions.

What do you think Council should do to address power imbalance between landlords and tenants? If nothing, why?
I think the largest contributor to the power imbalance between landlords and renters is the shortage of available housing, and the best way for council to address this imbalance is by enabling more supply alongside enforcing minimum standards for rental properties.

Fair rent

Would you advocate for additional powers or resources from Central Government to address the housing crisis (such as legislating for Rent Control), if so what and how?

Yes, the resources available to local government to address the housing crisis are limited and we need to advocate for central government to increase funding to local councils as well as changing laws to improve the conditions for renters.

What do you think are the main reasons rents in Wellington are increasing? How would you ensure rents in Wellington are affordable?

I think the main reason rents in Wellington are increasing is due to a shortage in the supply of housing. As a city councillor enabling more housing would be one of my key focuses.

Safe and healthy homes

What actions (in contrast to or in conjunction with our Healthy Homes Commitment) would you take to improve the quality of private rental housing in your ward and in your city?

No answer provided

Anything else you want to share?

No answer provided

If you are a candidate or representative of a candidate and wish to correct or elaborate on the information please contact lbe22@rentersunited.org.nz.

Authorised by Geordie Rogers, geordie@rentersunited.org.nz

About the author:

rentersunited

In: Elections 2022, Wellington. .