13 August 2008

Boot Out State House Trashers

New Zealand First is concerned that Kiwi taxpayers are having to pay for escalating repair bills for intentional damage done to state houses and believes offenders should be booted out to make way for more deserving families, says housing spokesperson Pita Paraone.

“It’s a travesty that those who are responsible for the several million dollars of damage each year to Housing New Zealand’s properties are not held to account. Instead of taking them to court and slapping them with a fine - which most would not pay anyway - they should be thrown out of their homes,” said Mr Paraone.

“Allowing such offenders to remain in their homes is just another smack in the face to those 10,000 deprived families currently languishing on the waiting list and makes a complete mockery of the state housing system.

“It is just a waste of taxpayers money when, for example, Wellington City Council was this year given $220 million to refurbish their housing stock. Why bother if they’re going to get trashed anyway?

“New Zealand First wants to see a zero tolerance approach taken towards those who abuse state houses. Living in a state house is a privilege and those who abuse it should have their tenancy terminated,” said Mr Paraone.

ENDS

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