17 August 2001

The Government has failed to deliver to low-income families its promise of a better deal under income-related rents, National's Housing spokesperson David Carter said today.

"Figures just obtained by National show that the number of people waiting for a state house has now jumped to 9796, up nearly 400 on the previous month.

"In March, the waiting list stood at 8260. It has risen steadily every month since.

"What is of particular concern is that there has been a rapid rise in the number of low-income people waiting for a house under Category B - a category listed by Housing New Zealand as 'in serious housing need'.

"The Government's glib promise on cheap rents created a huge air of expectation for many low-income New Zealanders, but these figures prove that it just can't deliver.

"National warned the Government that waiting lists would skyrocket when income related rents were introduced - since March, the total has risen by over 1500.

"And the waiting lists will continue to increase. Every low-income New Zealander has the right to be treated equally, whether they live in a state house or rent privately. But the Government has taken away that right, leaving families desperately queuing for state houses," David Carter said.

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