Phil Twyford
Housing Spokesperson

1 October 2013

National breaks its promise to elderly state housing tenants

Older New Zealanders will be thrown out of their state homes in the latest round of tinkering by Housing Minister Nick Smith, Labour’s housing spokesperson Phil Twyford says.

“National’s Social Housing Reform Bill -- which has just been reported back from the select committee -- opens the door for all state housing tenants, including the elderly and disabled, to be forcibly moved out of their homes, despite earlier assurances to the contrary.

“The Government promised their policy to impose renewable tenancies would not apply to the old or the disabled, yet this Bill explicitly breaks that promise.

“This move will create needless stress, anxiety and suffering for older New Zealanders, the disabled and the most vulnerable who least deserve such treatment, and are least able to cope with it.

“Labour will not vote for a Bill that opens the door for senior citizens to be evicted from their homes. They deserve to be treated with respect and dignity.

“We are in the worst housing crisis in living memory. Instead of building more state houses and affordable houses, Nick Smith’s solution is to make it easier to kick people out of their homes.

“It is sadly ironic the Bill has been reported back on the same day the Government launched the Older New Zealanders: Healthy, Independent, Connected and Respected document to coincide with the International Day of Older Persons,” Phil Twyford says.

ENDS

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