A new accommodation survey, being carried out by Citizens Advice Bureau, shows almost 90% of the respondents so far will consider leaving Queenstown due to the rental housing crisis.
Of the almost 70 people who’ve filled it out to date, 99.67% are employed here — just over 17% work in hospo, 12% are in construction, 11% are in retail, about 9% are in tourism and 8% work in hotels or motels.
The 40% who answered ‘other’ are, according to CAB general manager Tracy Pool, employed in professional services, like teachers.
Almost 60% of the respondents say they’ve been trying to find a rental for more than two months.
Of those in rental digs, almost 60% have had a rent hike over the past six months — just over 13% have been slapped with an increase of more than 40%, with 42% given an increase between 20% and 40%, and 44% had an up to 20% increase.
Pool says between February and April, compared to the same period last year, they’ve had double the number of inquiries about housing and rentals, with about 40% more people walking through their doors needing help, leading to a 47% increase in the time they’re spending with people.
‘‘We’re in that quiet season where, normally, anybody who’s still living here gets a home to live in that’s going to take them through winter.
‘‘There aren’t any, that’s the scary bit.
‘‘It’s not a hospitality or tourism problem, it’s a community problem.’’
The CAB survey’s available via the Citizens Advice Bureau Queenstown Facebook page.
