Some rent stories ‘well astray’

Press, 9 July 1983, Page 8

Some rent stories ‘well astray’

PA Wellington More people were finding it difficult to afford privatesector rents, said the Minister of Housing, Mr Friedlander, yesterday. The rental accommodation picture was not perfect, Mr Freidlander tola Auckland National Party members, but some news media stories were well astray, he said.

He gave an example of a television item which showed a family of two adults and five children who had moved in with friends living in an Auckland State rental house. The item did not tell the full story, he said. The Minister said the family was seeking rental accommodation from the Housing Corporation. They had previously lived in

Wellington and because a daughter was asthmatic it had been suggested she might be better living in Auckland.

“On the strength of this the parents had packed their five children in ther car and driven to Auckland. They had not arranged any accommodation before departing,” Mr Friedlander said.

“They restricted the areas where they were willing to live to Mount Roskill, Avondale, or nearby. “Despite the stories you read the information I have clearly indicates that where someone applies for accommodation with the Housing Corporation and where they are assessed to have a significant need they are housed in most areas within the same quarter that they apply in,” Mr Friedlander

said. “I am not claiming the rental picture is perfect. We do have a growing number of people who are finding it difficult to afford private sector accommodation and with Housing Corporation rentals averaging around $27.25 a week you can well imagine the attraction there is to obtain this type of accommodation.” The Minister also told the meeting: “We have reached the situation in New Zealand where the basic infrastructure of our housing needs is in place.”

The New Zealand dream of owning one’s own home and section was a reality for the vast majority, Mr Friedlander said. Census figures showed 72 per cent of houses were owned by the occupier.