16 May 2012 MEDIA STATEMENT

Housing a non-event on National’s policy calendar

The Government’s Social Housing Unit (SHU) Growth Fund pales in comparison to what the Housing Innovation Fund would have achieved under Labour’s stewardship, says Labour’s Housing spokesperson Annette King.

“Phil Heatley’s announcement of the successful applicants to his $25.3 million Social Housing Fund ignores the fact that NGOs put $170 million on the table in support of social housing.

“To say that $25.3 million is going to make a lasting contribution is laughable,” Annette King said.

“The Minister knows full well that the NGO sector was willing to contribute $170 million towards funding which would subsidise their existing successful initiatives.

“All this Government has done is taken Labour’s Housing Innovation Fund and given it a new name, and a lesser purpose.

“This announcement will not address the demand faced by non-government providers and shows a complete lack of commitment to resolving social housing issues in the long term.

“The Minister seems to have no grasp on the investment the sector was willing to make and doesn’t realise the contribution a strong, rigorous housing sector could have for the wider economy.

“Housing is a non-event on this government’s policy calendar, and it’s a crying shame,” Annette King said.
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