August 27, 2015
Housing rights at odds with policy
Auckland Action Against Poverty says the government should have obligation to house New Zealanders.
Spokesperson Sue Bradford says Housing New Zealand is acting as a land banker, sitting on vacant properties so it can sell them for the highest price.
She says while there are nearly 5000 people on the waiting list for state houses in Auckland, her group's work with people indicate the figure would be far higher if conditions weren't so restrictive.
She says both the state and local councils should play a role in housing people.
"We believe everyone in Aotearoa has a right to a decent warm house they can afford to pay for, that is suitable for their needs, are a single person or whether they are a family, whatever their situation, whether they have got a sickness or are recovering from mental illness, criminal record, whatever your situation, you deserve somewhere to live, " Ms Bradford says.
She says as well as fixing up and increasing its own housing supply, the government should increase funding for iwi and community housing initiatives.
Meanwhile, the Minister in Charge of Housing New Zealand, Bill English, yesterday opened a cluster of 11 state houses on a Glen Innes site that previously had two houses.
FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH SUE BRADFORD CLICK ON THE LINK
https://secure.zeald.com/uma/play_podcast?podlink=MzE4NTk=
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