Philip Heatley MP National Party Housing Spokesman

8 November 2007

HNZ waiting list - 6,000 will never be housed

National Party Housing spokesman Phil Heatley is surprised that the new Housing Minister is already giving up trying to find accommodation for 6,298 of the almost 10,000 people on the HNZ waiting list.

"Asked in Parliament today whether she supported HNZ's view that up to 6,298 category 'C' and 'D' families on the waiting list would never be housed, the Minister confirmed that was the case.

"Maryan Street could have said they'd try harder. Maryan Street could have said they'd personally let the families know they have no show of getting a house, at least so they know.

"Instead, all she did was agree that up to two thirds of people on the HNZ waiting list are waiting in vain."

Official figures show that between 1998 and today the official waiting list at HNZ has grown from 8,691 to 9,955 today even though the housing stock keeps increasing.

"If Labour has been helping the needy and the vulnerable out of poverty as they claim over the past 8 years, why is the list of families waiting for state housing help continue to grow?

"Could it be that the underclass is growing despite Labour's claim that none exists?"

ENDS

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