Reviewable tenancies will increase risks for vulnerable children

Instead of kicking families out of their homes if they can't pay their rent, parents with young children should have the opportunity to purchase equity in a state-built home over time, the Green Party said today

From July, Housing New Zealand (HNZ) will start reviewing all tenancies every three years. Elderly and disabled tenants will not be exempt. Children of tenants who are moved on are likely to suffer both from dislocation in their schooling and from having to move into poorer quality private rentals.

"Reviewable tenancy changes to Housing New Zealand's tenants coming into effect tomorrow will have a detrimental effect on children, the elderly, and disabled tenants," said Green Party housing spokesperson Holly Walker.

"Instead of dislocating families and communities, families with young children should be able to rent to buy government-built homes over time as proposed in the Green Party's progressive ownership policy.

"The changes at HNZ spell the end of them acting as a supportive social agency and the beginning of them being a purely commercial landlord.

"With a crisis of housing affordability, now is not the time to be dismantling our state housing legacy."

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