Candidates’ thoughts on housing in the city
Weasked the Labour, National and Green Party Hutt South candidates for their ‘‘vision’’ for housing in Hutt South. GINNY ANDERSON, LABOUR
I’m really worried about the housing crisis, and I know I’m not alone. At the public meeting I held on housing, it was made very clear - it’s hurting our economy and it’s hurting our kids.
Here are a few facts. The average price for a house in Lower Hutt has risen 25 per cent in the past year and ownership rates have continued to decline. Since January 2009 weekly rental rates have increased by 40 per cent. State houses are still being demolished and no action has been taken by this government to rebuild.
I have seen the hurt felt by this community - kids sleep in cars and families live in garages. Local businesses struggle to attract and retain staff because finding a house is just too hard. I recently met a working couple with four kids who live in motels while they try to find a rental. One of their children is unable to enrol at school because they have no permanent address.
The lack of affordable housing affects our whole community. I want to see money in Budget 2017 to start building on the vacant Housing New Zealand land..
Labour will build 100,000 affordable homes for first-home buyers, ban foreign speculators from buying existing homes and target speculators. We will build state houses for families in need. I want every child to go to sleep at night in a bed, with a roof over their head, and knowing that they live in a country where they have the opportunity to grow up and succeed.
CHRIS BISHOP, NATIONAL
The Hutt needs more houses. Rising prices in the Hutt are because of a lack of supply – demand is pushing up prices and rents.
The Hutt City Council must play a key role in getting more houses built. They need to open up new land for housing, allow higher density development, reduce red-tape for construction, and build roads and services to connect new housing areas. We all know the Hutt is a great place to live and raise kids and we need to give as many people as possible this opportunity.
I see the need for emergency housing first-hand through my offices here in Hutt South. The Government is acting. Nationwide, we are spending $354 million for emergency housing – the first time permanent funding has ever been committed. In Naenae last month, I opened the new Oasis Network facility at Hillary Court. This houses vulnerable single males and helps them get back on their feet. Just last week, the Government partnered with Koraunui Marae Trust for a new transitional house in Naenae. Two more open soon.
An issue that has been raised with me is the empty sections which used to have Housing NZ properties. Those units were demolished because they were an earthquake risk. Like many, I’m concerned no rebuild plans have been announced. Housing NZ says the area is under active planning and I intend to work hard to get these plans advanced as soon as possible. The reality is we need more houses; and quality land near train stations and schools must be a priority.
SUSANNE RUTHVEN, GREEN PARTY
Houses are more than bricks and mortar - they are places of comfort, belonging and security. Houses are homes, not just investments.
But right now too many people in Hutt City are living in cars and on the riverbank. Housing has not kept up with demand and infrastructure has not kept up with population growth. Prices are sky rocketing as investors play ‘‘Monopoly’ in so-called affordable areas like the Hutt. With low wages and student loans, many cannot afford to buy their own home.
This isn’t what New Zealanders want, and it’s not in keeping with the Greens vision for everyone to have an affordable, warm, dry home. Since 1906, when the first state house was built in Petone, we’ve recognised the need for quality state housing. Now land lies vacant where state houses used to be, years of neglect justifying their demolition.
The Greens will build 450 new state houses by allowing Housing New Zealand to retain its dividend and refund its tax, freeing up $207 million in the next financial year. The Greens will cut down on speculation with a capital gains tax (excluding the family home), and restrict overseas investors.
We’ll help New Zealanders get into their own homes through a rent-to-buy programme and allow students to defer paying back student loans so they can save for a first home deposit. And as renting is a reality for more than a million New Zealanders, we will set a default of three years for fixed-term tenancies and allow tenants right of renewal.