Housing hassles highlighted

Press, 26 June 1987, Page 9

Housing hassles highlighted

PA Wellington Access to accommodation after a marriage breakdown and the problems confronting' single women who want to buy their own home are highlighted in a new report on women’s views of housing. The Housing Corporation report is a summary of submissions received since national housing day last year, when thb r cor-.

poration invited women to make suggestions for changes in housing policy. The report will be released on national housing day this year, July 3, by Government politicians involved in housing and women’s affairs. More than 170 groups and 173 individuals made 169 submissions on women’s access to housing after marriage breakdowns and a large number focused on the problems facing single women who want to buy a home. “The worst thing is that as well as your life falling apart you suddenly have money problems as well," the report quotes from one submission. “It is easy enough to get a loan to

buy a house when there are two wage-earners, but one person trying to do it by herself probably earns less than half the former combined income ..." . ”1- 'have to buy my former husband’s share of the house," said another woman. “I obtain a, loan of $22,000 to buy , ray -- share or the family home must be sold. On my low income, I just cannot afford to borrow ...”

"I have accepted the conclusion that I win never have enough finance for a deposit on a home, and I will certainly never succumb to the concessions of wedlock just to Obtain the security of my own walls and dwelling,’’ said a third woman. Other issues raised included the particular needs of Maori and Pacific Island women and s their prospects of home ownership; the low value placed on women’s opinions when designing houses; the need for coordinated planning of communities and consultation with user groups; . and the shortage of goodquality affordable rental accommodation.