Andy:
Okay, we've been looking at the housing situation in New Zealand.
Andy:
It's clear that for many people housing is becoming unaffordable.
Andy:
To prepare for your assignment, discuss the key issues regarding this trend.
Hannah:
Shall we work together Andy?
Andy:
Let's start with the statistics for home ownership.
Andy:
I'd assume that the figures have been falling steadily for decades, but in fact between the 1950s and 1990s the rate increased significantly.
Andy:
It's only since then that the rate has fallen.
Andy:
So today it's roughly the same as it was in the 1950s.
Andy:
I was surprised to read that.
Hannah:
Okay, then what about the different age groups owning homes?
Hannah:
I read a report about people in their 20s and the thing is some of them don't want to own a home.
Hannah:
People think it's because they want to go out and see the world.
Hannah:
But apparently that's not it.
Hannah:
Actually people in their 20s don't see much point in buying a house until they make a commitment to someone and decide to have kids and you know a joint bank account and everything and many of them don't intend to do that for five to ten years.
Andy:
Okay, fine, but still for many people buying a home is unaffordable and that means they have to rent a house instead.
Andy:
I read an interesting survey of renters.
Andy:
Apparently, they're always worried their landlord might suddenly ask them to leave and they'll have to find somewhere else.
Andy:
That's the worst aspect of renting.
Andy:
Worse than the rent going up.
Andy:
You can plan ahead for that and apparently new laws mean that landlords now have to make repairs more quickly if there's a problem.
Hannah:
Then another problem is new houses being built today are often large.
Andy:
So people can't afford them.
Hannah:
Exactly or it requires a massive bank loan.
Andy:
But what's the point of big houses?
Andy:
I mean the birth rates falling so we're not having more children.
Hannah:
No, but with a large house people believe that if you sell it after 10 years, you'll make a handsome profit.
Andy:
But with a more modest house you risk losing money.
Hannah:
Then one thing that struck me is houses are much more expensive in cities.
Hannah:
So why don't people just move to rural areas?
Andy:
Many people work from home nowadays, so you'd think they'd happily relocate.
Hannah:
It's a healthier lifestyle in the country as well.
Hannah:
So I think people aren't so concerned about having doctors nearby.
Andy:
I guess it's because if you have kids and move to a rural area, you might not find a local primary school and once they're older it might be even harder to find a college within driving distance.
Andy:
That could put people off.
Hannah:
Then another thing.
Hannah:
Did you read the McKendry report about the impact of unaffordable housing on students?
Andy:
McKendry makes the point that when students are deciding on which university to attend, they also look at what they'll have to pay for a room.
Hannah:
I think that's right.
Hannah:
But in the report McKendry also claims that the availability of housing on campus is very limited.
Hannah:
I think he's got that wrong actually.
Andy:
Yes, perhaps in the past that was true and lots of students lived with their parents as a result.
Andy:
But nowadays, universities are building a lot of new apartments.
Andy:
Now, what about this trend of building tiny houses?
Hannah:
Yes, interesting.
Hannah:
These new tiny houses are cheap to build.
Hannah:
So is this the answer?
Andy:
Well, they're only suitable for single people and couples, not those with families.
Hannah:
I think tiny houses go some way towards addressing the issue of affordability.
Hannah:
But they're not the complete answer.
Andy:
Yeah, in the decades ahead though, tiny houses have some potential.
Hannah:
So, let's talk through the issues related to building a tiny home.
Andy:
Like sourcing building materials.
Hannah:
Well, apparently people often search through old buildings that are going to be demolished.
Hannah:
They remove wood and tiles and use them for their tiny home.
Andy:
To reduce expenses. Clever
Hannah:
Exactly. Then, there are those videos about construction.
Hannah:
They're for people who want to build a tiny home, but don't have building experience.
Andy:
Well, I read that many of those videos are unreliable.
Andy:
They suggest using materials and techniques that can result in problems later on.
Andy:
Using the wrong type of metal for the frame.
Andy:
If it's not strong enough, it won't support the roof a lot.
Hannah:
Then another issue is the option of recruiting other people to help out.
Hannah:
Like friends have had proper construction jobs.
Andy:
That'd save time, right?
Andy:
Because they could tell you exactly what to do and lend you the right tools.
Hannah:
But you'd have to pay them.
Hannah:
Then, it's also necessary to get information from the local council about the building process.
Andy:
And apparently, some councils can be difficult to deal with.
Hannah:
One member of staff will say your designs don't meet the health and safety regulations.
Hannah:
And someone else will say they do.
Hannah:
That's why some people abandon their project.
Hannah:
They've done all the design, but then they can't risk going ahead in case the council later decides the building is illegal.
Andy:
Then, what about location?
Andy:
One report I saw said people had built their homes on land their families owned or bought a section of land themselves.
...:
Location has to be your first consideration before you even start thinking about a design or construction process.
Andy:
True. What about creating washing facilities?
Andy:
There's no room in some of those tiny homes for a shower.
...:
I listened to a podcast and people said at first they didn't like the idea of having an outdoor bathroom, but once they'd accepted it, they were happy to get creative and build one outside.
Andy:
Interesting. And then you might get some sort of...
