The Kingston District Council has taken the nation-wide housing crisis into its own hands, hatching an innovative pilot project its calling ‘Room 4 a Roomie’. 

Chief executive Nat Traeger said council had partnered with Ray White Kingston, with the intent of matching potential tenants with suitable accommodation options.

“The concept is simple – use existing housing stocks and maximise occupancy rates,” she said.

“You do not always need to turn to bricks and mortar to fix a problem.

“We do not have the capacity to deliver an infrastructure-based housing solution, but we can galvanise our community into action.” 

Ms Traeger said council was floating the idea as a pilot project to its community through an online survey, as well as contacting every rateable property owner, encouraging them to look at their house with the view to offering, as a minimum, a room for rent, hence the name ‘Room 4 a Roomie’.

Ms Traeger is encouraging people in the community to make their spare room their side hustle, with homeowners being able to generate income whilst contributing to the economic growth of the community at the same time.

“It’s a win-win situation, with the simple program set to ease the rental crisis whilst offering shared expenses, social connection, security and companionship,” she said.

“The survey is also looking for farmhouses, holiday homes, shearers quarters, granny flats or any other option that could be offered to people wishing to move to the beautiful coastal community.”

Mayor Kay Rasheed said, while the idea was initially born to house employees in support of local businesses, it has the potential to attract other new residents.

“Obviously, the more people that live here, the more money they will spend, injecting economic stimulus into our community,” she said.

“We are aware that we have a high percentage of non-resident ratepayers and this presents as a simple and quick fix to a long term and complex problem. I encourage those who have a spare room, empty holiday home or other option to express their interest and learn more about this initiative.”

Ray White representative Nedd Golding said he was excited to partner with council on the initiative and was looking forward to seeing how the community would respond, particularly with the reassurance of third-party screening combined with an opportunity to be part of a community led problem solving campaign. 

Once the stock of housing is known, interested property owners will be invited to attend a community meeting with the council and Ray White representatives to find out more.