February 13, 2018
Action planned as scope of housing crisis revealed
Infrastructure Minister Shane Jones says the housing crisis is having a disproportinate impact on whanau Maori because Maori have their families younger.
An independent housing stocktake released yesterday by Housing Minister Phil Twyford said recent housing policies have failed to address the housing problems of Maori and Pacific peoples, with rising costs leading to declining home ownership rates, greater housing instability, and people living in poor quality housing.
Mr Jones says cabinet is looking at ways for government to be more active in addressing the the multiple issues around housing supply, including having infrastructure in place to building can be ramped up quickly.
He says leaving it to the private sector hasn't worked, and it's clearly time for action.
"The key role for us as a Government and working with my colleague Phil is to expand the provision of housing that is affordable, either for a purchaser or for those people who are not in a position to purchase but they just need a secure roof over their head," Mr Jones says.
Homelessness often comes with a range of other problems, and government needs to work with organisations like Salvation Army to ensure people not only get homes but the support they need.
Copyright © 2018, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com