21 October 2004

Hon Jim Anderton MP, Progressive Leader

First homes for families a key Progressive priority

"Young families should be able to have the security of owning their own home and the Progressives have been working on policies to promote this," Progressive Leader Jim Anderton said this morning.

"Having your own home can make a big difference to a family's long term financial security as well as their feeling of belonging in a community.

"There's nothing worse than a young family having to move every time their landlord wants to sell up. It is not only an added expense, but children's lives are disrupted and their health and education suffer. It is our intention to reduce this disruption by helping young families into their first home.

"Getting a deposit together is the biggest barrier. Sometimes rent will cost more than mortgage repayments, so families would be better off in their own home, but they just don't have the money to put into a deposit.

"Housing is clearly an area where we can help out low to middle income families, so the Progressives have prioritized work in this area," Jim Anderton said.

ENDS

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