Homeless in paradise – that’s how Queenstown residents describe living in the resort town during the housing crisis.
People are resorting to living in cars, tents, hostels and couch surfing as rentals are in very short supply.
It has prompted residents to protest on Monday, calling for more action.
One Queenstown man – who asked not to be named – was told to leave so his landlord could renovate.
“I’m living out of a car.
He is on a visa that ties him to the area, and said it was taking a toll on his mental health.
“A homeless person living in paradise for a lot of people at the moment.
Its chief executive Julie Scott described the state of rental housing as diabolical.
The most recent census data suggested more than a quarter of the district’s houses were unoccupied.
Housing Minister Megan Woods said the housing crisis was decades in the making for Queenstown, but work was underway to improve the situation.
Credit: radionz.co.nz
