Sales of State houses to stop; waiting list pruned

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33775, 22 February 1975, Page 1

Sales of State houses to stop; waiting list pruned

I New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON. February 21. Sales of State houses will virtually stop, and the waiting list of applicants for State houses will be reduced by about 3000. under new housing policies announced today by the Minister of Housing (Mr Douglas).

Mr Douglas, in s statement, said that sales of Housing Corporation rental houses would be curtailed in most areas, but at a press conference later he said sales would virtually stop. The waiting list for State houses of about 16,000 tc 17,000 will be pruned by 3000. Those people scoring less than 30 points out of 100 in their applications will be told their applications have lapsed. Applicants do not know, however, what they have scored. They will be advised later by letter whether they are on the waiting list.

“There were about 3000 [people for whom there was no chance of a tenancy in the foreseeable future,” Mr Douglas said. “It is unfair to these people to sustain their j hopes of a house when there, are another 13,000 to 14,000, who will be housed first.” Points are awarded on the, basis of present accommodation, rent-income ratio, I and other factors such as health, family size, and need. Theoretically, the most needy family would receive maximum points, although the system is in different: categories for two-bedroom and three-bedroom houses.

Leading policies “More State rental houses are being programmed now' than at any time since the, early 19505, but the Government also wishes to see more who can afford to do so take advantage of new lending policies for firsthome seekers,” Mr Douglas said.

Special loans, larger than the usual Housing Corporation loans and at reduced interest rates, were available for people on lower incomes. Any applicant whose circumstances changed could re-apply at any time. Priority for rental housing would continue to be based on family need rather than in-1 come alone, Mr Douglas said. The length of time an application had been on record had no bearing on whether a tenancy was granted. Mr Douglas said there was no suggestion of a means test for existing tenants or that they would be “pressured” into moving. Tenants thinking of home purchase would receive special consideration for corporation loans to buy existing private dwellings, Mr Douglas said. Such loans w’ere usually granted only to applicants with larger families. Many corporation rentals were being sold, particularly

liin well-established areas: close to jobs, shopping, and' health services. “We particularly want a *: social balance,” Mr Douglas I said. “It is socially undesi--I’rable to concentrate al) cor- ; ,’poration tenants in the; 'newer areas by selling offl ’ > our dwellings in more set- i died areas,” Mr Douglas said. ; Sales would continue in; ■inewer areas of concentrated! ’'corporation houses, but else-1 ’I where only in special ciri'cumstances. I “Porirua and Otara may;

>;not have been developed if) Il this policy had been adopted many years earlier,” Mr ( Douglas’said. si The Government’s object was still home ownership, ■he said. But more rental' ‘(houses were needed. f| Mr Douglas also announced, as firm policy, | plans to achieve better use I of the rent al houses by II building town-houses, com-I bining larger sections, and allowing pensioners to take! [in boarders. ; Mr Douglas said that sur-i

flvevs were to be conducted 1 to’determine how many corporation houses were underused. "Older tenants naturally I'being shifted to a smaller ■ away from their friends and , where their families have . opments, thereby improving