An Auckland man with cerebral palsy says he feels “very let down by the housing system” as he struggles in emergency accommodation unfit for his needs.
Kallen Neki told 1News he had been in a temporary unit since the start of the year while he waited for public housing that was wheelchair accessible.
Getting through the front door on his chair was a daily challenge, and due to the size of the space he was often only able to move around the house on his knees.
“There’s nothing wrong with my brain, but on the physical side there is a lot going on, so they need to navigate a house not only for me, but for my wheelchair to go around the room.”
The 37-year-old said it should not be so hard.
Kallen Neki’s been in a temporary unit since the start of the year, as he waits for public housing that’s wheelchair accessible. (Source: 1News)
Disability Connect was a support group in Auckland which had a new service helping people people with disabilities navigate what was available in the housing space.
Chief executive Mike Potter said housing inquiries to the organisation had increased over the last six years.
“And in fact they’ve doubled from last year to this year, in part because we’ve got a new service but it’s quite clear that there’s an issue with housing in New Zealand,” he said.
Potter said they had been able to help some people, but said many were reliant on social housing and “because we don’t have the housing stock, they don’t have anywhere to go”.
“On top of that, they’re compromised, if they do find somewhere, on their location. And if you compromise on your location, you’re compromised on your wellbeing, on your physical health and your long-term wellbeing.”
‘The math doesn’t work’ – advocate
Each year, Kainga Ora aimed to make 15% of its new builds a universal design, which had features that make them accessible and usable by the greatest number of people, including those with a wide range of physical and cognitive abilities.
The agency said in the last year, it exceeded its goal, building 562 homes fitting that criteria, equivalent to 16%.
However, BarrierFree Accessibility Advisor Katie Bourke said that doesn’t go far enough, saying “17% of our populace are disabled people and 35% of our population are over 65. So the math doesn’t work.
“We’ve got 15% targets which is below the number of registered disabled people in the country.”
She also questioned what Kainga Ora considered to be universal design: “universal design is a theory that means that there is minimal adaption required and things like that. But does that allow people to visit? Does that allow people to live? Does that allow people to choose where they live?”
The Social Development Ministry said that as of August there were 2223 people on the waitlist for accessible public housing.
Neki was one of them. He said he’s only been shown one home that was close to being suitable so far.
It was just lacking “a disabled friendly door”.
Kainga Ora could help arrange modifications to homes, and said changes had been made to 40% of its stock.
But Neki said it wasn’t able to do so for the property he was shown.
Kainga Ora responds
When 1News approached Kainga Ora about Neki’s situation, it’s Central and East Auckland Regional Director John Tuberty said they’re committed to finding him a suitable long-term home as soon as possible.
“After offering him the first of two homes, it became clear bespoke modifications would be needed for him to live on his own safely and comfortably. Many Kāinga Ora tenants require changes such as ramps, wider doorways or wet areas,” Tuberty said.
He advised another home that may be suitable for Neki has now been identified.
“If he accepts it, the next step is for an occupational therapist to carry out a needs assessment so any necessary housing modifications can be made. We have explained this process to Mr Neki and his solicitor.”
New disability strategy
Whaikaha, the Ministry of Disabled People, has drafted a new Disability Strategy for 2026-2030, which it was seeking public feedback on.
Housing was one of the key priority areas, with plans outlined to properly define what makes a home accessible, and develop voluntary guidelines for residential dwellings.
Some advocates say it doesn’t go far enough.
“When we look at London, for example, where they’ve got a target of 100% Accessible new housing for social housing. We don’t see why that couldn’t be implemented here in New Zealand,” Potter said.
He wanted enforcable targets for Government agencies such as Kainga Ora, and changes to the building code.
Bourke agreed: “We need our minimum standards to reflect the needs of our general populace.”
“I don’t think accessible housing should be limited to benefiting disabled people. It’s a bigger picture than that.” she said.
“While a home should be always individual, there needs to be a level of structural requirements so that minimal adaptions are required in order to make a difference so ensuring that doorways are wide enough and there’s level access entry and there is bathrooms with enough space to adapt if required.”
She wanted to see a commitment to change sector-wide.
“There’s a cost saving long term as well because you’re then not retrofitting houses or undertaking major construction work to allow people to live in their own homes or to move to a new home or to pursue an opportunity or dream outside of their current housing.”
Ministry of Disabled People responds
Whaikaha wanted everyone to have their say on the draft strategy, which it says was developed with input from a working group of people with lived experience of disability, sector experts and government officials.
In a statement it said: “The strategy’s goal for housing is for disabled people and their whānau to have affordable, healthy, secure and accessible homes that meet their needs.”
The Ministry’s Policy and Insights deputy chief executive Ben O’Meara said creating a cross-government agreed definition of what an accessible home is, will allow for further progress in this space.
He called it “a critical first step before any changes to residential building standards could be considered.”
Asked about the criticism over the lack of accountability proposed for housing in the strategy, O’Meara said: “We will ask government agencies to report back on the actions they are responsible for, and will develop indicators to measure whether the strategy is improving outcomes for disabled people at a system level. There will also be an annual progress report to Parliament.”
Public consultation would remain open until September 28.
