Over the past year, Joe Wilson has been researching the rental situation, the growing inequalities and housing instability in the Whaingaroa community.
The findings have been grim but with flickers of hope that something better can be achieved. Joe wrote an article for the Local Raglan Newspaper and gave a radio interview to shine a light on the need for an ethical landlord culture and collective, in order to protect and home our local people and their families. Listen to the full radio interview here:
https://raglanradio.com/captivate-podcast/joe-wilson-ethical-landlords/
By speaking with renters, landlords, and community members, he’s hearing a heartbreakingly consistent message: people are struggling — and struggling hard.
“Renters are working hard and contributing to their community, but barely getting by,” Joe says. “Rent takes almost everything, and if you don’t have double, high incomes, family support, or inheritance, there’s nothing left to save for a future.”
Beyond high rents, many renters also struggle to find a new place to live when their lease ends. Joe says this issue is especially common over the summer months when demand spikes. Some residents are left in stressful situations — without a home between rentals or having to leave Raglan altogether. “When kids are involved,” he adds, “it’s especially heartbreaking.”
But even in the middle of the crisis, Joe has found hope — in the form of ethical landlords. These are property owners who take a different approach, seeing housing as a social responsibility rather than just an investment. They choose to offer affordability, stability, and respect to those who rent from them. You can read Joe’s article in the Raglan Chronicle here:
Raglan’s Rental Crisis: Why Ethical Landlords Matter More Than Ever
