August 9th 2017
Scoop media and Public Engagement Projects have published a report concerning what New Zealanders think about affordable housing. As we know the debate concerning housing affordability is dominated by comments from politicians and the media,ordinary citizens have had very few avenues to express an opinion on housing affordability until now.
A large number of the participants agreed on a range of other aspects of the affordable housing market.There were some who believed that the free market approach would deliver affordable housing,it should be noted that the free market has never delivered affordable rents ,full stop.
Here is a snapshot of the areas of agreement.
85% believe that central government has a responsibility for building and owning a large portfolio of houses.
73% supported a role for Maori and community groups to provide affordable,emergency housing along with social housing.
91% agreed that greater provision is needed for emergency housing and more social housing, not just a push to highlight home ownership which is never going to happen for the majority of citizens who have been forced to become lifetime renters.
87% of participants do not believe that a $500.000 house is an affordable home.
Participants in the survey included a wide range of people some were home owners,renters and property investors.They said that to solve the housing crisis requires leadership and long term commitment to solutions along with a non-partisan political agreement to house New Zealanders today and into the future.A political will is required from all parties to do the job.
Tenants have the power to start the first steps in rebuilding a broken housing system by making your vote count to restore fairness for all who call New Zealand home.
