Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

Appeal to Government to put on hold the sale of state houses

State Housing Action Network

22 May 2016

Media release:

Appeal to Government to put on hold the sale of state houses

SHAN has written to Minister of State Housing Bill English appealing to the government to halt the pending sale of state houses.

“In light of the housing crisis for low-income families highlighted in the media these past two weeks it is unconscionable that the government would begin selling state houses.”

“As the country heads into winter with hundreds of parents and children living in cars and garages we face a national tragedy which requires strong leadership and urgent action from the government.”

“Only the government has the resources and capacity to address this crisis.”

“Instead of selling state houses the government should begin a major state-house-building programme to meet low-income housing needs from across the country. That need is urgent everywhere and is being ignored by the government.

We have a declining number of state houses per head of population across New Zealand when the need for affordable, quality housing for low-income tenants and families has never been higher than any time in the past 60 years.

This is a modern-day, government-made tragedy based on deliberate, sustained neglect that would have been unthinkable when John Key lived in a state house.

SHAN’s letter to Bill English is attached below.

State Housing Action Network

Bill English

Minister of State Housing

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

Parliament Buildings

Wellington

22 May 2016

Kia ora Mr English,

Appeal to Government to put on hold the sale of state houses

In light of the housing crisis for low-income families as highlighted in the media these past two weeks we are appealing to you to put on hold government plans to sell state houses.

As the country heads into winter with hundreds of parents and children living in cars and garages we face a national tragedy which requires strong leadership and urgent action.

It is obvious to us all that only the government has the resources and capacity to address this crisis.

Instead of selling state houses the government should begin a major state-house-building programme to meet the need for affordable housing for tenants and families on low-incomes across the country.

We have a declining number of state houses per head of population across New Zealand while the need for affordable, quality housing for low-income families is much higher than any time in the past 60 years.

This is a modern-day, government-made tragedy based on deliberate, sustained neglect for the needs of families. It is unthinkable that this would have been considered when John Key lived in a state house.

We look forward to your response.

Regards,

John Minto

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.