Rent help might be extended

Press, 25 February 1985, Page 4

Rent help might be extended

PA Auckland Law-income earners may begin to receive a Government benefit to help to meet rent costs. The Ministers of Housing, Finance, and Social Welfare are considering extending to low income earners the accommodation benefit paid to beneficiaries. The Minister of Housing, Mr Goff, said the extension of the benefit was being considered as part of a “safety net” of measures to cushion the impact of lifting the rent freeze on Thursday. It was possible there might have to be some changes to legislation for it

to be introduced, he said. At present, beneficiaries can apply for up to $36 a week towards their rent. Mr Goff said he had always believed it was wrong to discriminate against a person because he or she was not a beneficiary. Rent increases after the lifting of the freeze would be an intolerable burden for some people. A strong case existed for paying the accommodation benefit to low-income earners in the same position as a beneficiary. At the same time the benefit could be increased, said Mr Goff. “We would want to in-

crease it by a small amount now, with provision for review depending on how things go after the freeze comefe off.” he said. If a landlord had not increased his rents since 1982 a 30 to 40 per cent rise would be acceptable. Mr Goff said rent controls would not be reintroduced — on that basis he expected landlords to exercise restraint. Any rents increased between April, 1984, and the lifting of the freeze cannot be increased again for 12 months from the time of that increase. Thereafter there is no restraint on the frequency of rent rises.