8. LESLEY SOPER (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister of Housing
What recent announcements have been made regarding the energy-efficient retrofit programme?
Hon MARYAN STREET (Minister of Housing) Link to this
In response to a Green Party Budget initiative, it was today announced that the energy-efficient retrofit programme will be boosted by $53.4 million in Budget 2008, effectively doubling the pace of the programme. The remaining 21,000 eligible State houses will now be insulated within 5 years, bringing timely relief to households that are squeezed by rising fuel and energy costs. I wish to offer my congratulations to Jeanette Fitzsimons and the Green Party on their development of this initiative.
What other initiatives does the Labour-led Government have in place to improve the health and well-being of State house tenants?
Hon MARYAN STREET Link to this
One highly successful initiative, the Healthy Housing programme, has helped 6,000 households to date, by providing housing modifications and improving tenants’ access to health and social services. That has seen a 37 percent reduction in potentially avoidable hospitalisations, not only generating significant savings for the health sector but benefiting families, obviously, through better health.
Jeanette Fitzsimons Link to this
What effect does the Minister expect this initiative to have on the 50 percent of State house tenants who are children?
Hon MARYAN STREET Link to this
I think it would be best if I were to tell the House what I have in mind at the moment, which is a little boy who lives in Huntly, whom I met some time ago. Prior to the retrofitting of the house of this boy’s family, he was regularly admitted to hospital in the grip of terrifying asthma attacks. When I met this child after the house was retrofitted, he was bouncing around like any healthy little boy whom we would expect to be bouncing around. That is the best description that I can give of the effects of this programme.
Jeanette Fitzsimons Link to this
Does the Minister agree with the Green Party that in these days of rising power prices we need to look after the most vulnerable people in society, and that after the completion of this initiative we should investigate standards for private sector rental housing, as signalled in the New Zealand Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy?
Hon MARYAN STREET Link to this
I absolutely agree that we always need to look after the most vulnerable people in our society, and I note further that the State needs to get its own houses in order before it points the finger at private landlords. But I also note that this is a work stream in the New Zealand Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy, which is addressing this issue currently.