15,000 To Become Progressive Homeowners
Habitat for Humanity New Zealand, Roturua

The Green Party today launched its progressive homeownership policy at the annual conference of Habitat for Humanity New Zealand, reports the housing charity from its Rotorua event.

According to Habitat for Humanity CEO Claire Szabó, the policy “will see 15,000 more households over 10 years move progressively into home-ownership,” a programme which will make a “transformational difference” to the prospects of many low income children and families.

Party co-leader Metiria Turei announced the policy to the gathering of Habitat for Humanity staff and volunteers from around New Zealand. The charity was seen as a fitting partner for the announcement, given the work Habitat for Humanity has done in New Zealand assisting hundreds of families into home ownership through its 10 local offices throughout the country over the last two decades.

“We honour the work of the many volunteers, donors and supporters of Habitat for Humanity in reversing the prospects of hundreds of low-income and disaster-affected families through their home ownership assistance programme,” Turei said.

“More New Zealanders deserved the benefits of this kind of scheme, which is what our policy will achieve.”

Turei also noted feedback from Habitat for Humanity on the Green Party policy “with gratitude.”

The global housing charity is a nonpartisan organisation that works with all people who support its vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live. While the conference displayed enthusiasm for the policy being announced, Habitat for Humanity also had made a variety of suggestions.

“We can see the Greens’ programme being in high demand, so there may need to be some more work done around targeting the eligibility criteria,” Szabó said.

“However, we look forward to continuing our work with the Greens, and all political parties, where we can help make policies workable and effective,” she said.

“Overall, we are pleased to see bold, ambitious housing policies being put forward to deal with the real crisis many New Zealanders are facing, especially those on low incomes.”

For more information on the policy, go to www.greens.org.nz.

ENDS

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