Threat seen to Maori housing

Press, 13 November 1982, Page 30

Threat seen to Maori housing

PA Wellington Moves to shift funding for Maori housing away from the Maori Affairs Department could mean the end of that housing, says Labour's spokesman on Maori Affairs, Mr K. T. Wetere. Speaking during the Maori Affairs estimates, Mr Wetere said that the number of houses built with funds from Maori Affairs had dropped in recent years. In 1975. 1159 houses were built, last year 759 and this year it had been estimated that 608 would be built. • Of a total departmental vote of $64 million, just over $l7 million is spent on hous-

ing. Mr Wetere said he wanted an assurance from the Minister of Maori Affairs. Mr Couch, that housing would not disappear from the department’s control. Mr Couch replied that the Maori also had the opportunity to go to ■ the Housing Corporation to make sure they got loans there, but pakehas could not go to the Maori Affairs Department. A lot of Maoris were in rental housing, he said. "We know and the OpposL. tion knows the majority of our (Maori) people have not got the money to put down to own their own home. But those that have — we are giving encouragement."