19 November 2000

Housing Help For Only One In Five Low-Income Families

It will be a Merry Christmas for only one in five low income families following the introduction of Income Related Rents, National's Housing Spokesman Tony Ryall said today.

"Despite all the Government's media spin over cheaper rents, four out of five low income families will get nothing from Mr Gosche's Christmas cheer.

"That's because only a fifth of low income families rent from the Government. The vast majority of low-income families rent from the private sector. They will see nothing of the Government's largesse this Christmas. But they will be paying more for the food going on their Christmas tables.

"It's not fair that families in the exact same circumstances should be treated differently by the Government. In effect, four out of five low-income people are being discriminated against because they have a private landlord.

"Mr Gosche is yet to detail how many state house tenants will receive no reduction in rent. These families will be feeling the whole cheap rents message is a con," Tony Ryall said.

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