Andrew Williams MP
Spokesperson for Building and Construction

3 October 2013

Government Takes with One Hand, Gives with the Other

The Government’s intervention in tackling the housing shortage takes with one hand, and gives with the other says New Zealand First.

The Government has forced first home buyers to now have a 20% deposit for a bank loan, but today announced a social housing package to be administered by community organisations.

“The social housing vision for the Weymouth project must have adequate standards of transparency, accountability and management competency by ‘third sector’ providers. The providers of social housing must be able to deliver within the agreed parameters,” says Building and Construction spokesperson Andrew Williams.

“We don’t want a repeat of the Whanau Ora model where money is going to questionable delivery agents including even the mongrel mob,” says Mr Williams.

New Zealand First’s social housing policy would see low cost, long term government loans for city councils to build pensioner housing and public rental housing.

“This would enable councils to build affordable housing that meets the needs of their communities, while using local firms and providing jobs.

“This is in conjunction with the establishment of a state owned land bank in high demand areas, and developing smaller and more affordable sections which the state would sell to first home buyers at 2% interest for the first five years.

“It also includes restrictions on foreign investors using New Zealand residential property as speculative investments,” says Mr Williams.

ENDS

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Trial Over 'Anonymous' Donations: John Banks Resigns As Minister

ACT Leader John Banks today confirmed that he has stood down from his Ministerial positions following today’s decision at the Auckland District Court.

“Last week I indicated to the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff that I would offer my resignation should the matter relating to my 2010 Mayoral Electoral return be committed to trial,” Mr Banks said...

“I intend to continue in my role as ACT Leader and MP for Epsom, and ACT will continue to support National on matters of confidence and supply. More>>