Phil Heatley MP
National Party Housing Spokesman

15 October 2008

Heatley pleased PM supports Gateway Housing

National Party Housing spokesman Phil Heatley says he is pleased that Helen Clark largely endorses National’s previously released Gateway Housing programme, following her ‘new’ policy announcement today.

“National released its affordable housing policies in September. It included a suite of measures, including a new Gateway Housing programme. The Labour policy announced today sounds very similar, although Labour will not let the home owners actually own the land they build on. National will, because we think first home buyers will want that chance.

“National is offering Kiwis the chance to own the house and the backyard, and we won’t be regulating the shower flows, either.”

The policy announced a month ago says National will:

• Develop public land for first-home buyers directly or in partnership with community housing organisations.

• Recipients would have free use of a ‘ready-to-build’ leased section for up to 10 years as long as they start building within one year. After 10 years, or earlier if they wish, owners will have first right to buy the land at its original capital value plus 3% for every year they have occupied it. This equates to a significantly subsidised low interest loan for the land.

National also announced it will:

Free Up the Supply of Suitable Land

• Issue a National Policy Statement that ensures local councils plan for a forward supply of suitable land zoned for housing.

• Make it easier to redevelop land already inside town and city limits, while leaving alone areas of valuable green space.

• Allow councils to incentivise the release of residentially zoned land by landholders for subdivision and housing in a reasonable timeframe.

• Work with councils to remove planning restrictions on the development of housing on communal and Maori land, releasing it for papakainga housing.

Allow State House Tenants to Buy the House They Live In

• Give Housing NZ tenants the opportunity to buy their home and section.

• Maintain the state housing stock by reinvesting all money from these sales in replacement houses.

Continue with the Shared Equity Pilot

• Applicants currently under consideration will have the choice of pursuing the shared equity scheme or switching to our new Gateway Housing initiative.

Boost the Housing Innovation Fund

• Boost the capital component of the Housing Innovation Fund to $20 million a year in support of community housing providers who have a proven record of helping people into rental accommodation and home ownership.

To view National’s Home Affordability Policy visit: To view National’s Home Affordability Policy visit: http://www.national.org.nz/Article.aspx?ArticleId=28498

ENDS

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