New corporation for housing

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33454, 8 February 1974, Page 3

New corporation for housing

>\'ew Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, February 7. Cabinet approval for the formation of a new housing corporation was announced toda\ b\ the Minister of Housing (Mr FraserL

The new corporation would give the Govern-[ ment an executive arm to implement new housing policies. Mr Fraser said. It would bring under one management alii major Government housing activities. The nucleus of the new corporation would be formed by a merger of the Urban divisions of the State Advances Corporation. the j Housing Division of the Ministry of Works and Development. and the pensioner housing administration of the Health Department, said Mr Fraser. Wide scope ; The corporation would be responsible for the selection, planning, development and administration of housing land obtained by Government; for the disposal of, such land for private and State housing and for associated commercial, industrial and other uses, and for lending for housing. It would also design and erect State rental and Gov-

I eminent Department dwell-j ings, administer State hous-| [ing and the housing for the; [elderly scheme, and be responsible for urban renewal) [programmes. The main reason for es-l jtablishing the corporation! was to remove the fragmentation and lack of co-ordina-tion, in the present housing! administration, Mr Fraser! said. ‘’Review needed" “No fewer than eight! Government departments or! agencies at present play a significant role in housing, the two major agencies being the State Advances Corporation and the Housing Division.” “The present arrangement has worked reasonably satisfactorily in the past, but changes in environmental, social and economic attitudes have made necessary a review,” Mr Fraser said. The new corporation would be complemented by the National Housing Commission provided for in legislation during 1972 to give independent policy ad-i

I vice on the over-all housing situation. I “The commission will be appointed soon and together [the two organisations will ! provide New Zealand with a i comprehensive planning and I advisory housing structure.’' I the Minister said. I “The prime consideration [is to provide a modern, cohesive structure that can [define and respond to the ! accommodation needs of all [groups.” • Details of the new corpo- | ration, including draft legisilation and the timing of its establishment, would be worked out by the State Services Commission in conjunction with the departments concerned. Co-ordination “Close co-ordination will need to be maintained with other Government construction agencies and particularly with the land purchase, town planning and engineering development activities of the Ministry of Works and Development, to ensure continuity in construction proIgrammes,” said Mr Fraser.