Housing issues clear in Kelston
Housing in Kelston is too sparse, too expensive and rentals are often of poor quality, candidates say.
Labour MP Carmel Sepuloni said a large part of her time as the incumbent MP since 2014 has been working to find homes for homeless families.
It also had a low average income, one of the highest unemployment rates, a large amount of three or more families residing in one house, and lots of children under the age of 5.
‘‘Despite the fact that we have pockets of the electorate who are doing well, a large part of the electorate struggles daily to make ends meet,’’ she said.
‘‘We need more affordable homes, more state housing, security of tenure for those renting, support for local businesses to provide local jobs, more support for families with young children and better wages.’’
Maori Party candidate Cinnamon Whitlock said there was ‘‘an overwhelming shortage’’ of clean, dry and affordable housing for families.
‘‘Sadly, the National-led Government have not kept pace with the needs of Aucklanders and I am well aware that home ownership is out of the reach for far too many hardworking New Zealanders.’’
The Maori Party would make low interest home loans available, as well as rent-to-buy schemes and equity financing.
It also wanted rent caps on stateowned social housing, and would build 60,000 homes in Auckland over the next five years, she said.
‘‘I know that most New Zealanders want to be able to live in a society where whanau family poverty is eradicated and everyone is better off.’’
NZ First’s Anne Degia-Pala said a fifth of Kelston believed housing was the biggest election issue.
‘‘Renters are painting an image of a market where options are limited, homes are frequently run down, damp and mouldy, and often cost them at least half their weekly income,’’ she said.
NZ First would stop the sale of land to non-resident foreigners and reduce ‘‘mass immigration’’, she said.
It would also provide support for first-home buyers.
Other candidates did not reply by the deadline given for this article.