Carmen Hall: Government should buy land for houses

Ferncliffe Farm has been sold to Kāinga Ora. Photo / Supplied

OPINION:

My mum and dad bought their home with help from the Government through a Housing Corporation loan.

My mother still lives in that house where I grew up. She is one of two remaining original residents left on the street.

The houses were built more than 50 years ago and everyone bought off the plans and got the same fixed low-interest loans. The street around the corner was mostly state homes.

As kids, it made no difference to us if our mates lived in these houses. I don't think it crossed my parents' minds either. The Government deal meant they could afford to get onto the property ladder and those who were housed by the state got cheap rent.

A win/win.

So when NZME reported that Kāinga Ora had paid $70.4 million for a 95ha greenfield development site, Ferncliffe Farm, on State Highway 29 in Tauriko West, for up to 1000 homes, I agreed despite the uproar from some.

Initially, 200 affordable houses and 200 state homes will be built.

The project has been slammed by Winton chief executive Chris Meehan who believed Tauranga would be better off with the site in the hands of developers.

His argument was they could build the houses faster and he would "eat [his] hat" if the first person moves into a house inside of four years.

I also agree with the Government's decision to buy back land in Rotorua's Pukehangi suburb for $12.6m, with plans to build a subdivision of 60 houses for homeless people.

Rotorua's mayor was pleased with the outcome, as was the chairman of Restore Rotorua, an incorporated society of locals concerned about how motels in the town are being used for emergency housing.

The reaction from Collie Drive residents was mixed but one was "not excited" as she had carefully chosen the area two years ago to live a quiet and peaceful life.

There's no denying the current housing crisis is out of control and people on both sides of the fence are hurting. House prices are appalling.

In my view, consecutive governments are to blame for the situation and at least Labour is trying to mop up some of the mess.

I am in favour of more state homes for our vulnerable members of society and an affordable pathway for first-home buyers.

If the Government needs to buy land or use Crown land to give the younger generation a leg up, so be it.