For immediate release: 23 May 2008
Community Housing Aotearoa disappointed by the Budget
Community Housing Aotearoa is disappointed by the "trying to please all" shown by the government in yesterday's budget.
Community Housing considers it a missed opportunity especially at a time when families and low wage earners are
struggling with the cost of living.
Community Housing Aotearoa director Therese Quinlivan says the government has dropped the ball on what are the big
issues affecting families today. "Families on low incomes who already can't meet their mortgage or rent payments are now
struggling to pay basic food prices. I'm really pleased to see personal tax cuts and working families credits for low
income families but there should have been a cut off point for higher earners."
Ms Quinlivan says too much focus was put on personal income tax cuts rather than the provision of services. "By cutting
personal taxes for all there is now less money for the provision of services. To enable the government to reduce taxes,
each government department has had to cut out some of their projects that would have provided services to the
community."
Housing is a necessity for all citizens and while the government has released the Shared Equity Scheme last week, her
concern is that housing is being overshadowed by tax cuts rather than developing services that many parts of the
community need.
Community Housing Aotearoa is the umbrella body for 170 members nationwide.
ENDS