Asenati Lole-Taylor MP
Associate Spokesperson for Housing

29 November 2012

Affordable Housing Must Be For Kiwi First Home Owners

New Zealand First is calling for strict rules to ensure that any affordable housing built under government policies is bought by Kiwis buying their first home – not local or foreign investors.

Associate spokesperson for housing Asenati Lole-Taylor says the Government’s policy of cutting red tape to make houses cheaper will lead to wealthy investors buying them up and renting them out.

“These wealthy investors will not only get their hands on the rental income, but will also benefit from big capital gains if they later sell the property.

“This will actually fuel the property boom and make houses even more unaffordable for many New Zealanders.”

Mrs Lole-Taylor says whatever affordable housing policies are introduced must ensure that first home owners get first right of refusal.

“Creating affordable housing is about helping out New Zealanders struggling to own their own homes.

“But this Government views it as yet another opportunity for their wealthy mates to make huge profits from hard working Kiwis.

“That is totally unacceptable and New Zealand First will do all it can to make sure affordable houses are purchased by New Zealanders buying their first home,” says Mrs Lole-Taylor.

ENDS

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