Media release; Immediate release
Friday 11 August 2017
This week the Equality Network focuses on housing.
Equality Network videos:
This week we are releasing two new videos from Equality Network member the Anglican Diocese of Wellington. Kate Day talks about why housing and gone through the roof, and asks politicians for a courageous vision to turn the housing crisis into a housing opportunity. Our videos are uploaded to this page.
News from the Equality Network
Pickapath
Pickapath is an interactive tool which has evolved as a collaboration between ActionStation and The Morgan Foundation. It allows you to make the decisions for a couple who are expecting a new baby and are facing a range of issues (income and housing especially – two of our key Equality Network issues). It’s a real eye opener and a good resource to share. https://pickapath.
600 gather to hear solutions on housing:
On the 9th August, 600 people filled the Wellington Cathedral of St. Paul to hear electoral candidates talking about the housing crisis. For more information/ a write-up of the event click here. Videos from the event can be found here.
Closing remarks from Bishop Justin Duckworth: “[Hon Alfred Ngaro] you made a really good point that the answers are not [over the road at Parliament,] they’re here. They are here – they are in this room and we’re living those answers regularly. But we do need a little bit of help. … here’s some things we would like. We would like affordable housing for New Zealanders, number one. We would like increased social housing stocks, number two. And we would like rental properties fit for people to actually live in and prosper their lives in. That’s the stuff we need your help on.”
ActionStation is working with Renters United on the People’s Review of Renting – a people powered report on the state of renting in 2017. The report, due to be released the week starting 21st of August, will contain several recommendations to improve the lives of renters based off the insights from over 610 people who shared their experiences of renting.
PSA Housing Booklet release:
The PSA will be releasing it’s book Progressive Thinking: Ten Perspectives on Housing on Monday the 21st August in Auckland. The release follows the recent publication Progressive Thinking: Ten Perspectives on Tax, which was a top 10 seller at Unity Books. The edited book; Progressive Thinking: Ten Perspectives on Housing, is part of the PSA’s election year efforts to re-examine and reframe social debate in areas of importance to our members.
The book will contain ten journalistic perspectives from academics, campaigners and researchers on housing from rental reform to disability issues
Over the last few years the PSA has heard an ever-growing body of evidence that the current government’s approach to housing is failing. The PSA is adding its voice to the many who are demanding change.
The PSA has a proud history of advocating for high quality public services that contribute to the health and wellbeing of our communities. Members have told it that housing is a priority concern in election year, and because they – and their families and communities – are amongst those bearing the brunt of the current housing crisis.
CPAG housing recommendations:
Released in July 2017, CPAG’s ‘Priorities for familiy housing’ outlines the current housing crisis and puts forward three key recommendations:
CPAG recommends that the following policy changes should be considered by Government in response to the outlined challenges and conclusions:
1. The Accommodation Supplement should be reviewed as a matter of urgency and especially following the April 2018 increases to determine its effectiveness in reducing housing related poverty for New Zealand’s poorest families and households.
2. The Residential Tenancies Act should be overhauled with a view to improving tenants’ rights and in particular to giving them:
– more secure tenure,
– access to effective advocacy and support in disputes with landlords,
– protections against excessive rent increases, and,
– guarantees to decent quality housing through a comprehensive warrant of fitnessprogramme.
3. A Social Housing Plan should be developed within 12 months, that is based on realistic forecasts for future demand for social housing and that budgets are allocated to fund this plan over at least a ten year period.
