Candidate Stephen McPaike answers Renters United’s questions

VOTE HOUSING: LOCAL BODY 2022

Renters United asked every candidate in the Central Ward 17 questions about the issues that most concern renters in their ward. Here are Stephen McPaike’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? No

Stable homes

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

When the TPA (Tenants Protection Association) was running, I was on the board working with the Staff to work towards Affordable Rentals where the Tenancy Managers had to justify the price increases to the tenants instead of tenants going to the managers with reasons of reducing the increase. I wish to continue working on this with central government to ensure people are secure financially in their own home.

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

Having being in OCHT/CCC housing over the last few years, I have seen the ups and downs of CCC stepping away and letting OCHT taking more control over the housing portfolio. I have been working with CCC/OCHT and tenants to ensure that they feel safe and are able to speak up without any fear, and I will continue this work regardless of the election outcome.

What steps will you take to end homelessness in Christchurch?

There are professional sleepers that will not live in housing provided to them, but to the people who want to live in a home, I will work with OCHT and MSD to house the people who want to live in a home

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?

I have worked with the TPA over the last 3 years, but this is a central Government issue. I will work with any organisations that will fill the TPA gap with the knowledge I have gained from the TPA

What do you think Council should do to address power imbalance between landlords and tenants? If nothing, why?

I have worked with the TPA over the last 3 years, but this is a central Government issue. I will work with any organisations that will fill the TPA gap with the knowledge I have gained from the TPA

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?

When the TPA (Tenants Protection Association) was running, I was on the board working with the Staff to work towards Affordable Rentals where the Tenancy Managers had to justify the price increases to the tenants instead of tenants going to the managers with reasons of reducing the increase. I wish to continue working on this with central government to ensure people are secure financially in their own home.

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

There are multiple reasons for this. Increase of rates, Cost of living Crisis, increasing costs of insurance, and medium rent in the area has increased. What CCC can do is reduce the rates increases by deferring the “Nice to Haves”.

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?

I have successfully advocated for the Warm and Dry Initiative with OCHT and CCC in 2019. I would push for more passive housing to be built within Christchurch and better heating standards.

Anything else you want to share?

There are things from my time at the TPA that I am working on but I am unable to say due to privacy clauses but I do wish I can share with you when I am able to

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: Christchurch, Elections 2022. .