Admission from Heatley long overdue

Phil Heatley’s admission this afternoon that ‘there are state houses today in a serious state of disrepair’ confirms that his inaction is compromising the health and safety of tenants, says Labour’s spokesperson for Housing Annette King.

“The Minister admitted in Parliament that state housing stock is in a decrepit state,” Annette King said.

“Before Mr Heatley took the responsibility for Housing New Zealand he was a vocal critic of ‘slum state housing stock’ and mouldy, old damp state houses. Yet, after four years in office, he has done little to address his own concerns.

“He also arbitrarily suggested demolition may be a solution, something that could distress tenants who already feel out of the loop and unable to easily contact Housing New Zealand.

“The Minister can poke fun at the situation faced by tenants at the Symonds Street flats in Auckland, where lino was only replaced ahead of his visit. But the reality is actually pretty grim.

“Instead of blaming Labour and shirking responsibility the Minister should act on his admission that houses are in disrepair and get in behind tenants and Housing New Zealand,” Annette King said.