State house waiting list at record 8000

WELLINGTON: The waiting list for state housing has hit a record.

There are now nearly 8000 families and individuals on the waiting list for public housing, and 2000 more seeking to move to a different state house.

Housing Minister Phil Twyford said the Government was working as fast as it could.

‘‘The waiting list is shockingly high . . . It’s gone up by 26% in the last three months.

‘‘I think it’s people coming forward for help because they know there’s a government now that not only recognises there’s a housing crisis but has said it is going to do its damnedest to put a decent roof over the heads of people who need it.’’

However, the Government came under fire yesterday for raising the maximum price of its Kiwibuild homes in Auckland and Queenstown by $50,000 because of rising land prices and building costs.

It wants to build 100,000 affordable homes for firsthome buyers over the next 10 years.

Mr Twyford was forced to justify the rise after getting a grilling in Parliament from National Party housing spokeswoman Judith Collins.

‘‘Why did he raise the price of a Kiwibuild house from his initial promise of $600,000 to $650,000 and only told New Zealanders about it last week?’’ Ms Collins asked during question time.

‘‘Mr Speaker, we raised the price points, the maximum prices in Auckland and Queenstown to $500,000 for one bedroom, $600,000 for a twobedroom place, and $650,000 for three bedrooms or more,’’ Mr Twyford responded.

‘‘For houses outside of Auckland and Queenstown, the maximum price for all houses is $500,000.’’

But National leader Simon Bridges said Labour’s flagship Kiwibuild policy was a sham.

‘‘Effectively, what Kiwibuild is, is coming in and buying what was already happening and slapping a Kiwibuild label on it. Well, that’s kiwihoax, isn’t it, that’s kiwifraud.’’

Mr Bridges said he expected the maximum price points would continue to rise.

New Zealanders seeking a home could be given access to a second, interestfree mortgage under a scheme being considered by the Government.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said yesterday the Gov ernment was considering a shared equity scheme as a way of making housing more affordable.

Shared equity involves a share of a mortgage being secured by a third party — usually the state or a government agency — as a second mortgage that attracts no interest. It has to be repaid when the house is sold.

A shared equity scheme was previously trialled by the Helen Clarkled Labour government.