10. PHIL HEATLEY (National—Whangarei) Link to this
to the Minister of Housing
Does she have confidence in Housing New Zealand Corporation; if so, why?
Hon MARYAN STREET (Minister of Housing) Link to this
Yes; because it is doing an excellent job providing housing for the most vulnerable people in our society. But there is always room for improvement.
Does the Minister agree with Housing New Zealand Corporation’s statement on its waiting-list website about the 6,500 C and D category applicants that “It is unlikely that we will be able to offer ‘C’ and ‘D’ applicants housing,”?
Pita ParaoneDoes the Minister have confidence that Housing New Zealand Corporation can adequately address the issue of affordable housing in a timely manner to ensure the Kiwi dream of homeownership remains achievable for all New Zealanders; is so, when does she expect policy details to be released?
Hon MARYAN STREET Link to this
New Zealand is not alone in having to deal with affordability issues. That brings us into line with other countries, such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. However, we have introduced targeted support for homeownership, including the Welcome Home Loan scheme and KiwiSaver. As far as future activities are concerned, we will be piloting a shared equity scheme, and we are also considering, for the near future, a housing affordability bill.
Gordon CopelandDoes the Minister have plans to further explore the scope for Housing New Zealand Corporation to play a constructive role in addressing the now serious issue of housing unaffordability for first home buyers in New Zealand, especially those with young families?
Hon MARYAN STREET Link to this
Absolutely; that is a priority for this Labour-led Government. The housing affordability issue is a critical one and we acknowledge that, and we will, through a lot of creative measures, ensure that we address that issue in the near future.
When is she going to publicly announce to the 6,500 people on the waiting list that they will not be getting a State home?
Hon MARYAN STREET Link to this
The system for allocating State houses is done on a priority basis; C and D applicants are not as urgent as A and B applicants. We will get to the C and D applicants probably through a variety of measures other than State housing.
Sue MoroneyHon MARYAN STREET Link to this
We have turned Housing New Zealand Corporation from a real estate agency, which it was under National, to a vital social service working across the country to house needy families securely. The corporation, since 1999, has implemented multiple initiatives such as the Rural Housing Programme, the Healthy Housing project, the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy, the Housing Innovation Fund, income-related rents, and the Welcome Home Loan scheme. We will continue to build on that.
How come the waiting list was only 8,691 in 1998 and Labour has since added almost 7,000 homes, yet the waiting list has grown to 9,955 today?
Hon MARYAN STREET Link to this
We have introduced income-related rents, which have had a knock-on effect in that respect. But can I also add that in the course of our Government’s tenure, we have added about 18 houses a week to the State housing stock, which compares, in stark contrast, with the previous Government’s record where it got rid of about 28 houses a week, on average.
Is the reason the waiting list has grown by about 1,500 families in the last 8 years, even though Labour has added almost 7,000 State homes, that there is a growing underclass in New Zealand?
Hon MARYAN STREET Link to this
There are a number of reasons why the waiting list may have grown. Can I say that if there is to be any answer to that, it will lie with this Labour-led Government and not any National Government.
Why has the waiting list grown by 1,500 families in the last 8 years, even though Labour has added 7,000 State houses to the housing stock?
Hon MARYAN STREET Link to this
With the introduction of income-related rents, we have more people queuing up for State houses. That is part of the issue of providing affordable, secure housing to the most vulnerable families in our society.
Hon Paul SwainCan the Minister confirm that the waiting list would be a lot smaller if National had not sold off 13,000 houses when it was last in Government?
Hon MARYAN STREET Link to this
I repeat what I said a moment ago. The reduction of the State housing stock by some 13,000 under the previous Government does seem to average out to about the loss of 28 houses per week. That may have something to do with the figures also.
Is she then telling the House today that the reason why the waiting list keeps growing, even though she keeps on buying houses, is the unrealistic expectations Labour has put out into the community; and is she telling us that she is not even going to publicly tell the 6,500 families on the waiting list that they will never ever get a State home?
Hon MARYAN STREET Link to this
If the member wishes to have a briefing on just how State houses are allocated according to need, then I would be very happy to provide him with that information.