During its time in office, National vandalised the state housing system, embarking on a mass-selloff of state homes, including disposing of all Housing New Zealand homes in Tauranga. Now, Labour is making a start on rebuilding state housing:
Housing Minister Phil Twyford has announced that up to 155 new state houses in the regions will be ready by June this year.
The houses will be spread across 15 regional centres, with Napier/Hastings getting almost 50.
The homes will be built on vacant Housing New Zealand land and on underutilised lots.
"This is the first step in building more new homes to help those most in need in our regions. In total, it will build more than 270 bedrooms for individuals or families in the areas where they are needed most," Twyford said.
A handful of small houses doesn't seem like a lot. But its a start, and a step in the right direction. And hopefully it'll be followed by a lot more.
