11. KATRINA SHANKS (National) Link to this
to the Minister of Housing
What steps is the Government taking to get the best out of State housing for those most in need?
Hon PHIL HEATLEY (Minister of Housing) Link to this
I am pleased to announce the formation of an independent group that will advise on how we can get the best out of 69,000 State houses, worth $14 billion, for those most in need, to address the mismatch of housing size and location to demand, and all within the current income-related rents environment.
Ministers were keen to bring together individuals with strong business and property backgrounds, like Dr Alan Jackson from Fletcher Building, as well as those from the social housing sector, such as Major Campbell Roberts from the Salvation Army and Diane Robertson from the Auckland City Mission. We are confident that this team can help us make sure that the Government’s investment in social housing is getting to the right people.
Moana MackeyHas he made it clear to the Housing Shareholders’ Advisory Group that any privatisation of the Housing New Zealand Corporation’s State housing stock is categorically out of the question?
We are yet to brief the shareholders’ group; it has only just been set up today. Ministers will make it clear to the group that income-related rents will stay. We will be increasing the number of State houses, but as we do that we want to make sure that the 69,000 State houses we currently have are being used to the best effect—for the most needy. That is what we will be doing. We are not privatising State housing.