Plans to hike the rent of some of Invercargill's "most vulnerable" elderly citizens have been criticised by community leaders.  

Councillors met yesterday (Tuesday, February 16) to discuss submissions on a proposed 35% rent increase on Invercargill City Council's (ICC) 215 social housing units. 

The council received a report on the submissions and a decision on the matter is expected to be made by the infrastructural services committee at its next meeting on March 2.

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The additional money, about $40 per week for each property, would be used to cover the cost of meeting Healthy Homes standards, specifically installing heat pumps in the properties, and future upgrades. 

But, representatives of both Presbyterian Support Southland (PSS) and Southland Beneficiaries & Community Rights Centre (SBCRC) have condemned the move. 

In total 25 people made written submissions to the council, the other 23 being from the tenants themselves. 

Fourteen oppose the rent hike, 10 support it, and one did not express a view.

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PSS chief executive officer Michael Parker writes in his submission that ICC should apply for central Government funding, rather than place the burden on low fixed-income residents in one big hit. 

They're unlikely to use the heat pumps, he says, as they won't be able to afford the electricity due to the rent increase. 

"While ICC may state that current rentals are too low . . . people on low incomes do not often, if ever, have any disposable weekly income left and therefore for them to find another potentially $40 or more p/week from a national superannuation pension is not achievable," Parker says.

"This increase would place considerable pressure on food, electricity, medication, and basic essential daily living needs." 

Parker also criticises the council using commercial market rental data as a comparison, and the whole consultation process itself. 

"... the people who live in these ICC units are some of our society's most vulnerable ... and many come from an age group where complaining is not part of the psyche of the staunch south man or woman who in many cases have been through a hard life and 'just got on with things'." 

He says the process will negatively impact on many "already existing mental and physical health conditions". 

PSS is a social services charity with more than 400 staff and assets of $60 million. It has been working with vulnerable people in Southland for more than 100 years. 

It approached Age Concern, discovering they had not been notified, he says. Neither had Iwi or church groups. 

"The need for wider advocacy and consultation is essential prior to any final decision-making." 

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SBCRC's Michael Gibson says in his submission if the council goes ahead with the proposal, SBCRC will actively assist tenants "to pursue their full range of legal and political remedies against it". 

SBCRC is an advocate group for beneficiaries. 

Gibson criticises the "insensitive" nature and timing of the consultation, with letters sent out 10 days before Christmas. 

And he says accounts by tenants of their interactions with council staff "establish a picture of high-handed, domineering behaviour towards vulnerable people".

The tenants themselves who opposed the rent hike spoke of their limited income, health difficulties and the poor standard of the units. 

Names and addresses were redacted for privacy reasons but one wrote: "This unreasonable hike in rent is ridiculous. 

"I know I will have to seek other accommodation. I have been trying to get new carpet for about three years without success. Be realistic."

Six submitters requested to be heard at the 3pm hearing. 

More deliberations will take place at the Infrastructural Services Committee on 2 March 2021.

UPDATED: This story was first published on the Southland App on February 16 and has been updated to record the outcome of Tuesday's meeting.