Emergency housing petition presented to Tauranga City Council

Neville Lowry presents deputy mayor Kelvin Clout with a petition calling for urgent emergency housing. Photo/George Novak

A petition for urgent emergency housing signed by more than 200 people will be up for debate at the next Tauranga City Council meeting.

Tauranga Labour Electorate Committee chairman, Neville Lowry, presented the petition to deputy mayor Kelvin Clout yesterday.

Cr Clout congratulated the chairman on the signatures and said they were well aware emergency housing was an issue.

Although it was a central government issue, they would assist with building consents, said Mr Clout.

They were working with developers on at least eight Special Housing Areas and would continue to be active in opening up new land.

Mr Lowry said he was grateful for the chance to present the petition because the housing problem was a health and safety issue.

A formal response from the council would come after the petition was presented at the next council meeting.