June 24, 2021
Secure housing more important than ownership
A member of the Māori housing advocacy network Te Matapihi says homeownership is a step too far for many whanau, and they’re just looking for secure housing.
Te Mataphi is on the road supporting the engagement process being run by Te Puni Kōkiri and the Ministry for Housing and Urban Development to develop a new Māori housing framework.
Wayne Knox says whānau aspire for homes that are affordable and healthy, but their main worry is where they will be living in the next months.
"Some of our whānau, it's a bridge too far to ever contemplate homeownership and yet by far the majority of whānau we talk to, it's still the goal. Some of the Māori housing providers are more focused around housing permanency, how to get people into permanent homes regardless of whether they own it or not," he says.
Mr Knox says suitable finance is a major issue, as the Kainga Whenua scheme has delivered fewer than 60 loans over the past decade.
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