11. CHESTER BORROWS (National—Whanganui) Link to this
to the Minister of Housing
What is the Government doing to assist people whose homes are not habitable following the Canterbury earthquake?
Hon PHIL HEATLEY (Minister of Housing) Link to this
Housing New Zealand Corporation has been working very well with private sector landlords, the community housing sector, and the Ministry of Social Development. However, we know that a number of people have been living with family and friends and will want some sort of longer-term options as their houses are being rebuilt, so we are wanting to increase the housing pool in Canterbury. Today I announced the Housing Emergency Lease Programme. In this programme we will be asking Cantabrians who have a second home—it might be a holiday home, a farm cottage, or a house that would otherwise be for sale—to see whether they are willing to lease that short term to Housing New Zealand Corporation for 2, 3, or 4 months. Housing New Zealand Corporation will carry the lease, pay the rent, and have a tenancy agreement. This way, it manages the tenancy and collects the rent, but it guarantees rent to the householder and provides a no-hassle tenancy service.
Chris HipkinsWill funding that is currently budgeted for upgrades or replacements of State houses in other areas be reduced in order to meet the increased demand that is likely to flow out of the Housing New Zealand Corporation projects in the Canterbury region; if so, where does he envisage that money coming from?
It is fortunate that Housing New Zealand Corporation properties are covered by Earthquake Commission payments, just as normal properties are.
I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I acknowledge what the Minister has just said, but it did not actually address the question that I raised. I asked him whether money would be taken from other regions in order to put it into the Canterbury region. Saying that the Earthquake Commission—
Mr SPEAKERIt seemed to me the Minister was saying that the Earthquake Commission would cover the cost with regard to Housing New Zealand Corporation properties. That is what I interpreted from what the Minister said. If that is what the Minister is saying, then the member cannot litigate it by way of point of order. He can ask further supplementary questions.
The member now seems to want to argue with the Speaker, which is not a very good idea. But just to make sure that I am not misunderstanding here, I believe that the member asked where the cost would come from. What I interpreted from what the Minister said was that it would be covered by the Earthquake Commission, so it would not come from any other Housing New Zealand Corporation regions. I might be wrong, and if I am wrong, then I hope the Minister will point that out to me. But he does not appear to be wishing to.