April 22, 2014
Discount sought in state house sell-off
Maori housing advocates are arguing for the Government to sell some of its state housing stock to iwi at a steep discount.
The Iwi Leaders Group and some individual Maori organisations are among groups trying to get some of the 20 percent of state houses the Government wants to transfer as part of a policy to get the community sector more involved in the provision of social housing.
But negotiations have stumbled on the question of money.
Rau Hoskins from Te Matapihi, which is working with Community Housing Aotearoa to address some of the policy issues raised, says the price paid should reflect the fact the properties will remain as social housing, with income-related rent.
A paper prepared by the groups proposes that the state houses be sold at restricted cash flow valuations based on their rents.
Mr Hoskins says an iwi landlord would be able to offer wraparound services that are beyond the scope of Housing New Zealand.
Community agencies now have about 5000 houses, including 900 belonging to IHC subsidiary Accessible Properties and over 400 owned by the Salvation Army.
Copyright © 2014, UMA Broadcasting Ltd