Housing in Auckland report bleak for Pacific communities
The Housing in Auckland report paints an extremely bleak picture for families in the Pacific community who are being hit
hard by the housing crisis, says Su’a William Sio, Labour’s Pacific Island Affairs spokesperson.
“The shortage of affordable rental houses and emergency short-term accommodation is pushing many South Auckland families
into boarding houses which Minister Nick Smith describes as ‘rat-infested, mouldy dives that are unfit for human
habitation’.
“These places are a ticking time bomb. They are no place for children to grow up. Many residents have just got out of
prison or have serious mental health issues.
“They are not permanent solutions to the housing crisis, but with the Government washing its hands of Housing NZ being a
state housing provider, these families have no choice.
“Boarding houses are unregulated which is why many operate below the standards needed but the Government refuses to do
anything about it.
“Unless there is a determined programme to build more affordable housing our country’s housing stock isn’t going to keep
up with population growth and migration numbers and more families will be forced into sub-standard housing,” says Su’a
William Sio.
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