Thursday, 19 May 2005

Adams: Housing funding needs to target first home buyers

The $22.6 million of new Budget funding for housing needs to be focused on identifying and removing the obstacles facing young families looking to buy their first house, United Future housing spokesman Paul Adams said today.

“The Government has moved strongly on United Future’s call for funding for research on housing in New Zealand, but it needs to focus these funds well.

“We want to see research undertaken on the factors in the declining rate of home ownership, particularly with a view to first homes for families,” Mr Adams said.

He said he was also encouraged to see a Budget initiative incentivising improved, cleaner energy efficiency in homes, something United Future had strongly lobbied for.

“United Future would continue to push for increased funding for retro-fitting homes with better insulation and incentivising alternative energy sources such as solar power.

“A combination of these measures will save electricity, thereby saving families money as well as reducing the ever-growing demands on the nation’s energy supply,” he said.

Ends.

© Scoop Media