This election will be tight,every vote,yes every vote will count.The present National led government has failed to acknowledge,let alone resolve the housing crisis.At present of the households that rent their homes,nearly a quarter 23% are paying 40%of their income in rent.In contrast only 5.6% of owner occupiers paid more than 40% of their income on housing costs.Between 2010 and mid 2013,rental costs increased by 12.1% whereas mortgage payments rose only 1.1%.This crisis in affordable housing is ensuring that future generation's will inherit accommodation problems.
Growing poverty is an issue facing the country,but lets not call it poverty,lets call it what it really is-inequality.There is a feeling that the country is adrift and that affordable housing costs don't get the attention that it deserves. It should be noted that 70% of tenancy tribunal case's are concerned with rent arrears,so what does that tell us.There has to be a review of introducing some form of rent control,as the taxpayers cant afford to carry on subsidizing private landlord's to the tune of $1.3 billion every year and with the way things are at present this will rise considerably in years to come.
So make sure you turn out to vote and to vote for change there is a better way to provide affordable rental for all New Zealander's who require it.