Slow housing scheme start

WELLINGTON: The Government is under pressure after having housed just 12 families under its $400 million Progressive Home Ownership Scheme since its official launch seven months ago.

An additional 78 families have been contracted to the scheme, and another 25 families will soon be moving into apartments built in Queenstown.

Housing Minister Megan Woods said she was proud of the scheme.

The National Party called it an embarrassment.

National Party housing spokeswoman Nicola Willis said the fact the housing minister was boasting about 12 houses beggared belief.

‘‘It's astounding to me that the minister has taken the time and money to put together a PR video spinning this when what people want her to focus on is increasing housing supply.’’

‘‘To be showing off about 12 houses, well, there are hundreds of thousands of Kiwis who desperately want their own home and they know they have a better chance of winning Lotto than getting into this scheme.’’

Dr Woods defended the number, saying it could take up to three years for someone to go through the process.

She said it was much different than buying a house through conventional means.

Dr Woods said the Government planned to move between 1500 and 4000 families into home ownership through the scheme. — RNZ