Drop in Consents Builds Case for Housing & Green Home Fund

A dramatic drop in building consents and fears about the long-term health of the building industry is more evidence that social housing and the Green Homes Fund have a critical role in the Government’s stimulus plan, says Green Party Co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons.

“Now’s the time to build housing for the disadvantaged,” Fitzsimons says. “There’s an urgent need from industry and from the New Zealanders most affected by the recession. The resources are there and it’ll never be cheaper.”

“The Fund is another ready-to-go answer. We again urge the National-led government to re-consider its position, back the Fund, help our economy and give New Zealanders more healthy homes.”

Fitzsimons repeated the social housing and Green Homes Fund call after news today that building consents are at a 20-year low and after the Certified Builders Association expressed fears of lasting damage to the industry. The CBA predicts a skills shortage as builders are forced to look for work overseas or outside the sector.

“If the Government is smart and brave, we can tackle three problems at once. If we increase our social housing stock, we can support the building industry, address a social problem and, with the right design, encourage energy efficiency.”

Similarly, the Green Homes Fund is designed to provide home insulation and clean heating technologies to homes around New Zealand. Championed by the Green Party and approved by the previous Government last August, the Green Homes Fund was shelved by the new Government when it back-tracked on New Zealand’s Emissions Trading Scheme.

“The Fund benefits New Zealand in lots of ways,” Fitzsimons says. “Warmer, drier homes keep power bills down and using less power means less greenhouse gas emissions from power stations. Hospitalizations for asthma and flus drops by more than half when a house is insulated so New Zealanders would be healthier which means less time off work and more productivity. It also means kids take less time off school.

“It’s common sense. The evidence of a slow down in the building industry adds to an already compelling case for a bold social housing plan and the billion dollar Green Homes Fund.”