November 3rd.
Local authority housing and state housing plays an essential role in protecting people who are vulnerable because of old age,mental illness as well as those on low incomes,from homelessness.They also provide tenants with secure tenancies which is not the case with private landlords,it should be noted that women and their children are over represented amongst those at risk from eviction.
While private landlords have a vital role to play in solving our housing crisis,it is clear that they cannot build the number of affordable homes that will be required for future generations.There will be no end in sight,until there is a dramatic increase in state houses to assist the growing number of New Zealanders who will remain tenants during their lifetime.All types of housing is required now,from state housing social housing, long with support for home ownership.
We will only see a genuine end to our housing crisis when central government gets on and invests in a state house building programme, it has to happen as it is the only way forward for all those who believe in New Zealand as a fair and decent society.As waiting lists continue to grow,it should be remembered that the massive sell -off of state housing in the 1990's,has deprived low income families and future generations of a place to call home.The housing reforms from that period have failed to deliver the choice and affordability that the National government promised at the time .
