Turia welcomes new money for State Housing

The Associate Minister for Social Development - Tariana Turia - is welcoming the public projects package announced today particularly the money to be spent on renovating state houses and building new ones.

Noting that $124.5 million is being set aside to renovate ten thousand state houses, Mrs Turia says "I am pleased that some of those will be in Porirua. In my travels around the country I've had many people talk to me about urgently required repairs to the state house they live in."

"State house tenants tend to have low incomes and large families and they feel powerless when trying to get repairs done. I'm really hoping this injection of funds will not only keep people in work, but will also bring much needed repairs and an improved living enviroment for state house tenants."

"When the house you live in is sub-standard there are consequences for the family like ill health, poor attendance at school, all of which have wide ranging downstream effects. We have more than enough evidence to show that the social conditions of families, including factors such as poverty and inadequate housing, will affect future health."

"I am also thrilled with the announcement of the additional $20m to build 69 new state homes" said Mrs Turia. "This is a significant development, one which we have been very vocal about in our discussions with the Government, and it is pleasing to see that the recommendations we had made earlier to not only upgrade the existing stock but to also increase housing supply, have been influential in the package announced today" (see earlier statement).

The Maori Party has been very clear all along, having identified sub-standard housing during the term of the previous Parliament about the need for decent housing, including insulation, ventilation, heating and upgrades to ensure homes meet the Warm Home Standard targets (18 degree minimum)".

"To this end, we welcome the package of proposals released today".

Background

Maori Party Keen to be part of discussion on Housing Solutions

Hon Tariana Turia, Co-leader of the Maori Party

Tuesday 2 December 2008

Maori Party Co-leader, Tariana Turia, has commended PM John Key, for telling it like it is, and describing the Government as in danger of becoming a 'slum landlord'.

“Families have experienced the sub-standard conditions of state housing for far too long” said Mrs Turia. “All of the Maori Party MPs have copious examples of communities where state housing has fallen into various states of disrepair and decay with not enough being done to address these issues over the past nine years".

“I support the PM’s commitment to improve the quality of houses, particularly in addressing the lack of insulation and heating” said Mrs Turia.

“The Maori Party has consistently promoted the view that decent housing is essential to good health and wellbeing, particularly the very young and the very old”.

“I am aware that the Housing Minister has confirmed that any houses sold would be replaced” said Mrs Turia. “Mr Heatley’s assurance that houses would be replaced is a demonstration that more people would be housed ".

“We can not ignore the situation for low and fixed income families, who are already suffering from the economic conditions” said Mrs Turia. “The Salvation Army estimated that in Auckland alone, there is a housing shortfall of at least 2500 dwellings”.

“We believe that New Zealanders should not be denied the opportunity to rent from the state – we need warm and healthy homes; we need affordable housing; we need to respond to the urgent demand to address the housing shortage; and we need to ensure there are suitable housing options in place for all”.

“We consider that an upgrade in the state housing stock, and an increase in housing supply, will also have the advantage of stimulating the building industry and other housing related trades” said Mrs Turia. “Such activity generated by the state, would be a useful buffer in the current economic climate; and will make a substantial difference to the unacceptably high waiting lists”.

“We will be keen to have a discussion with the Prime Minister about this issue, as our position has always been that the state must take the major responsibility for social housing, including capping the rent for state housing and reviewing the accommodation supplement to address overcrowding and homelessness” said Mrs Turia.