Housing survey results

Respondents would most prefer to live in a neighbourhood with a mixture of activities (67%), away from busy roads (48%), away from industrial areas (45%) and within walking or cycling distance of the central city (41%).

A safe neighbourhood (79%), proximity to shops, parks and other community facilities (69%) and the character of the neighbourhood (58%) were the most important features respondents wanted in a neighbourhood. The affordability of the neighbourhood was of particular importance to respondents aged 24 years and under.

What you told us

• "Every neighbourhood should be a 15 minute neighbourhood that enables people to meet their basic needs without having to get into a car. Christchurch is currently dominated by sprawl and forces people into cars."

• "We want to be able to be in close proximity of our own community facilities in a safe characterful neighbourhood landscaped with trees and gardens."

The majority of respondents would like to live in a stand-alone single storey home (55%), with three bedrooms (51%), is energy efficient (71%) and is orientated to take advantage of the sun (70%).

68% of respondents disagreed or strongly disagreed that there were affordable homes in Christchurch, with 66% considering $500,000 or less to be an affordable home.

Privacy was the most important consideration when respondents thought about living in an apartment or townhouse. Lack of privacy and the intensity of the development were the main deterrents to living in an apartment or townhouse.

What you told us

• "As a young person I have had to become accustomed with the idea that I will probably not be buying a house in the near future."

• "Old houses are super bad, no insulation, single glazing, and damaged. New builds are expensive and small and too dense."
• "The apartments currently built are not fit for long-term family living. They are far too small, lack storage, adequate outdoor living space and privacy."

Respondents' housing preferences shifted slightly when thinking about their housing needs in 10 years time with an increase in respondents who would prefer a home with only two bedrooms.

The main priorities when providing housing for an ageing population are energy efficient homes (84%) and homes that are easy to heat (81%). Respondents clearly told us that having access to a range of transport options and being close to shopping centres and key services should be top of mind when considering how to enable the development of additional housing.

What you told us

• "Creating communities or housing where a range of ages and stages can co-exist. Accessibility for prams/wheelchair/walking frames etc."

• "Housing designs that encourage incidental activity would assist in keeping people healthier and more mobile into older age therefore reducing special requirements needs to later in life".