Greens delivering warm, dry, healthy homes in government

The Green Party is celebrating the launch of the Warmer Kiwi Homes programme today, which will deliver warm, dry, healthy homes for a huge number of New Zealanders.

“We’re incredibly happy to see our policy becoming a reality,” says Green Party energy spokesperson Gareth Hughes. “We’ve campaigned for proper home insulation for every Kiwi home for so long, and we’re making it happen in government.

“Having a warm, dry, healthy home can literally be a lifesaver. It’s good for people, good for the environment, and good for the economy because it creates work – a win-win-win situation.”

The Warmer Kiwi Homes programme provides grants for two-thirds of the cost of floor and ceiling insulation. From next year it will extend to heating appliances for those homeowners who need them the most.

“With top-ups from third parties like community organisations, we’re ensuring this insulation is as low-cost as possible,” says Mr Hughes.

“Alongside this, the Healthy Homes Guarantee Act which we passed in December will ensure that rental homes also have to meet minimum standards for ventilation and heating.”

This delivers on the commitment made in the Greens’ confidence and supply agreement with Labour to ensure that every New Zealander has a warm, dry, secure home, whether they rent or own.

“This has been a long journey for the Green Party, starting in 2009 when former Co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons won an agreement from the National Government to insulate up to 180,000 homes,” said Mr Hughes. “It’s awesome that now we’re going to finish the job.”

ENDS

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