The number of new social houses sitting vacant across New Zealand is completely unacceptable, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says.
“I was dismayed to learn that, as of late last year, the total number of vacant social homes in New Zealand was 3,906, or five per cent, of New Zealand’s total public housing stock.
“It’s simply not okay that 786, almost 20 per cent, of the new public homes delivered by Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities between June 2022 and October 2023 were vacant as of 31 October 2023. Of these new homes, 287 were empty for more than four months despite thousands of families waiting for social homes such as these.
“I have written to the Board of Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities to make clear my expectation that, with over 25,000 people on the social housing waitlist – almost 20,000 more than when the previous Labour Government took office – social homes are not to be left empty for a day longer than absolutely necessary.
“It is disgraceful that New Zealanders needing a warm, dry home for their family are waiting in motel rooms, in cars and on family members’ couches while hundreds of newly built social housing units sit empty.
“While I understand there may be instances where, for valid reasons, it takes time to fill a new home, the timeframes identified in this response are well beyond what I consider appropriate.
“It is critical that Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities is focused on efficiently placing tenants into social housing across New Zealand and works with much greater urgency to do so.
“I look forward to receiving the report from the independent review led by Sir Bill English and discussing with Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities what needs to change, and how.”
A delay in getting tenants into existing houses could be explained by the need to refurbish or upgrade them.
But what possible reason can there be for so many houses being empty when there are so many people desperate for a home?
It begs the question what were Labour’s Housing Minister, the board and staff of Kāinga Ora staff doing?
This large number of empty new houses suggests they weren’t focused on getting as many people as possible into houses as soon as possible.
Ele Ludemann is a North Otago farmer and journalist, who blogs HERE - where this article was sourced.
5 comments:
Labour was doing nothing - but giving a different narrative extolling their success to Parliament.
Another dishonesty display.
How can so few hoodwink so many?
It actually shows complete contempt for homeless people of NZ by Labour firstly and their lap dog Housing NZ.
None of those involved cared less for anyone homeless and that is both inhuman and disgraceful.
The people responsible at Housing NZ need to be fired forthwith. Sadly we cannot deal with M.Woods but we can take the time to remember and remind every day until the next election.
These people are basically scum grifting theifs taking public service money and providing no public service to those in actual need.
So, if there's 3,906 vacant social homes in New Zealand, and people who could be living in those are put up in motels or other forms of emergency housing costing (say) $500 per week, that's $1.93M per week. Corruption, ineptitude or perhaps both?
90% corruption 10% ineptitude.
Nichola Willis should start the new tax auditors she is hiring auditing:
- the Labour Hierarchy,
- The consultants paid billions to achieve nothing,
- financial links between the Labour hierarchy and the gangs
- financial links between the labour hierarchy and the Maori kings family who benefited enormously from our taxes.
- financial links between the labour hierarchy and favoured gang members paid millions to prepare cultural reports, run drug rehabilitation programs, etc.
- Jacinda's new found wealth allowing her to travel the world and pay for a huge wedding - with no job.
- financial links between the labour party and Blue scope.
Come on Nicola.... here has all our tax money gone?
Ele good piece. The thing I find so frustrating about the left is that their words and actions never marry up. They are massive hypercrites.
Would someone please give Anna Mouse her own column on this site. She would be a great asset contributing....and I very rarely disagree with her comments!
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