Shout-out for rent subsidy help

Wellington City leaders are appealing to the Government to help ease the burden on its lowincome tenants by extending income-related rent subsidies.

In the meantime, Wellington City Council officers will undertake a rental review for its social housing.

Social housing tenants currently pay 70 per cent of market rate but the council wants to investigate a more ‘‘equitable’’ system based on household circumstances.

Yesterday councillors debated the city housing policy review at their city strategy committee meeting – while some believed it was a necessary review, others worried this could mean $100 rent increases.

Diane Calvert said the recommendations councillors were voting for were vague and suggested changes for clarification, which were accepted.

However, she lost her bid (by one vote) to delete the reference to ‘‘equitable’’, which she felt was ‘‘the Government’s territory’’.

‘‘If the Government stepped up we would not be having this debate.

‘‘We would not have to find another way to fund our social housing.’’

Iona Pannett said they were being asked to take money from Peter, who was a bit richer than Paul and give it to Paul.

‘‘I don’t agree. All of our tenants, to some extent, are vulnerable ... get the money from somewhere else.’’

Wellington Mayor Justin Lester recalled his experience of living in social housing when benefits were cut and rents increased, which was ‘‘anguish’’ for this family.

‘‘That’s why I am here. I made the decision that instead of getting angry, I would get into this position … so no other family had to suffer like mine did.’’

The outcome of the review should not mean a ‘‘hard landing’’ for existing tenants, he said.

Councillors voted to included a clause that would ‘‘mitigate negative financial impacts for current tenants’’.

Andy Foster queried where money for the unsustainable housing would come from, while his colleague Sarah Free said not voting for the original recommendations showed ‘‘a lack of political courage’’.