Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

Affordable, Healthy Homes Increasingly Out Of Reach

29 November 2012

Affordable, healthy homes increasingly out of reach for Kiwi families

New statistics show that home ownership has fallen to a new low and families are increasingly being locked into unaffordable renting, Green Party housing spokesperson Holly Walker said today.

The Household Economic Survey, released by Statistics New Zealand today, shows that the homeownership rate, including homes owned by family trusts, has fallen from 70% five years ago to 65% in 2012. A record 562,000 families now pay rent, up 106,000 in five years.

The figures show families locked into renting are finding housing costs increasingly unaffordable with 215,000 renting families now paying over 30% of their incomes on housing up from 181,000 in 2008 when this figure was first reported. 30% of income is the generally recognised affordability limit for housing.

“Young families are being locked out of home ownership by rising house prices, and high rents,” said Ms Walker.

“The homeownership rate has plunged to just 65% and a record 562,000 families are renting. More than 200,000 families are now paying over 30% of their income on rent.

“Young families are locked in a catch-22 situation. They can’t afford to compete with wealthy property investors to buy their own homes, and they can’t save up a decent deposit because those property investors demand high rents to make a profit. Instead, they are stuck paying a large slice of their incomes for homes that are often poorly insulated and unhealthy.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

“Neither National’s plan for 600 expensive houses in Hobsonville nor Labour’s plan to get more affordable housing to market address the problem that most renting families are unable to get together a deposit in the first place. Nor will they address the fact that many rentals are poorly insulated.

“A Green Party Member’s Bill, the Energy Efficiency and Conservation (Warm Healthy Rentals Warrant of Fitness) Amendment Bill, currently in the ballot would address part of the problem by setting insulation standards for rental properties, ensuring that the over half a million families who are renting have warm, healthy homes to live in.

“The Heat Smart scheme has proven government can successfully work alongside business and community groups to fix a housing problem while easing the cost for families in need. We need a similar solution on affordable housing,” said Ms Walker.

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.