State Housing Action Network

22 May 2016

Media release:

Appeal to Government to put on hold the sale of state houses

SHAN has written to Minister of State Housing Bill English appealing to the government to halt the pending sale of state houses.

“In light of the housing crisis for low-income families highlighted in the media these past two weeks it is unconscionable that the government would begin selling state houses.”

“As the country heads into winter with hundreds of parents and children living in cars and garages we face a national tragedy which requires strong leadership and urgent action from the government.”

“Only the government has the resources and capacity to address this crisis.”

“Instead of selling state houses the government should begin a major state-house-building programme to meet low-income housing needs from across the country. That need is urgent everywhere and is being ignored by the government.

We have a declining number of state houses per head of population across New Zealand when the need for affordable, quality housing for low-income tenants and families has never been higher than any time in the past 60 years.

This is a modern-day, government-made tragedy based on deliberate, sustained neglect that would have been unthinkable when John Key lived in a state house.

SHAN’s letter to Bill English is attached below.

State Housing Action Network

Bill English

Minister of State Housing

Parliament Buildings

Wellington

22 May 2016

Kia ora Mr English,

Appeal to Government to put on hold the sale of state houses

In light of the housing crisis for low-income families as highlighted in the media these past two weeks we are appealing to you to put on hold government plans to sell state houses.

As the country heads into winter with hundreds of parents and children living in cars and garages we face a national tragedy which requires strong leadership and urgent action.

It is obvious to us all that only the government has the resources and capacity to address this crisis.

Instead of selling state houses the government should begin a major state-house-building programme to meet the need for affordable housing for tenants and families on low-incomes across the country.

We have a declining number of state houses per head of population across New Zealand while the need for affordable, quality housing for low-income families is much higher than any time in the past 60 years.

This is a modern-day, government-made tragedy based on deliberate, sustained neglect for the needs of families. It is unthinkable that this would have been considered when John Key lived in a state house.

We look forward to your response.

Regards,

John Minto

ENDS

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