Moana Mackey
List MP

9 Decmber 2010 Media Statement
Housing policy ignores impact on children

The Government’s reviewable tenancies policy for state house tenants will create more stress and uncertainty for families, while doing nothing to address the chronic shortage of social housing and ensure that those most in need are housed, Labour’s Housing spokesperson Moana Mackey said today.

“The Government’s response to the Housing Shareholders Advisory Group report announced today completely ignores the impact of housing policy changes on children and families.

“Given the well documented negative impacts of transience on educational achievement, Labour believes that families with kids attending local schools should be exempted from the Government’s reviewable tenancy scheme.

“National has made a political decision to exempt pensioners, regardless of their means , so why won’t they do the same for children?

“Labour is committed to putting children at the centre of policy making decisions. Ignoring their needs and the needs of their family when changing policy around the tenure of their homes is unacceptable and can only result in negative outcomes , said Moana Mackey.

ENDS

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