March 21st 2018
Hi There,the MTU has had a few computer issues which has lead to our lateness in getting onto our blog,sorry.
The Palmerston North City Council has just released its 10 year plan for the city'' What's the big Picture'',get a copy from the city council it's free to everyone.It is well worth a read,and let's you know what the council plan's to do to make Palmerston North a great place to call home.
Housing get's a mention as the city council plan to introduce market rents for its pensioner flat's,so let the councilor's know your views on this serious issue,they are there to assist you on any issue.Remember we the residents pay their salaries through the rates and everyone contributes to the rate's not just property owners,OK.
The Palmerston North City Council [PNCC]plan to implement market rents for it's pensioner flats,so that the income will be ring fenced to build more units,take's a bit of believing.
They are using the notion of building more unit's as a way to move to market rents without causing outrage in the wider community.It's their way of achieving the goal of increasing pensioner rents,sitting tenants will be excluded from the increases,only new tenants will pay the market rents.
The PNCC record to date on its commitment in building new council housing is not great.But to there credit they are good landlords who set the bench mark for the private sector,and have not sold their housing stock despite the pressure from previous councilors to do so. The PNCC at present seem's to see it's pensioner housing as a commodity and not a necessity,the proposed move to market rents tends to confirm this view.
So ring the mayor's office [06 3568199]to voice you concern's, this will impact on pensioners no matter what financial help is available to them,they will be paying more rent from their own pockets.
Market rents for state housing introduced by the National Government was a disaster for all concerned,this will go the same way.Why should tenants on low income's have to pay for new pensioner units ?.
