Steph Lewis calls on Govt to build more homes

Steph Lewis ... has called for more state housing to be built in Whanganui.

Whanganui Labour candidate Steph Lewis has called on the Government to build new affordable housing in Whanganui.

She made the call on social media while commenting on a Wanganui Chronicle article which shone a spotlight on rental housing and a shortage of available properties.

See that story here

"Whanganui is currently facing its worst housing shortage in 20 years. The Government's failure to tackle the housing crisis in Auckland has seen the problems spread to regions like ours and with the number of state houses in Whanganui being cut there just aren't enough places for people to rent or buy at the moment," Ms Lewis said.

"We are now seeing the consequences here, with 40 people trying to get a single rental house.

"Whanganui is not a city known for housing problems but we are increasingly seeing people unable to pay the rising cost of rent or being forced to live in substandard housing.

"I have heard from many people in Whanganui concerned that their children and their grandchildren can't find an affordable, healthy rental property, or worried that they will never be able to buy a home.

"It's time for the Government to step up and build more affordable houses in Whanganui."

I thought I would give you a quick(ish) update on where my team and I have been and what we've been up to over the last few days. Let me know if you have any questions or want to know what future campaign activities we have planned. P.s I'm not driving Hubby is.

Posted by Steph Lewis for Whanganui on Monday, April 24, 2017

In a dashcam video (above) and on her campaign page, Ms Lewis said she had been told by many within the electorate that first-home buyers were being priced out of the market as property values increased.

National Party candidate Harete Hipango and MP Chester Borrows issued a joint statement in which they said housing in Whanganui was cheaper than any comparable city in New Zealand.

"While it has been well known that Housing New Zealand is looking to offload some of it's stock in Whanganui - announced a year ago - because most houses are too big or too small or in the wrong places for requirements, government will only sell them after full advice from social agencies as to demand, need and future needs," the statement said.

"Stephanie is trying to get Whanganui oxygen for an Auckland issue which Labour has decided will be a pillar of their election campaign.

"In our meeting with mayor Hamish McDouall on local issues, he never mentioned 'affordable housing' so Stephanie needs to decide if she is going to run an Auckland-centric campaign or one based on growing jobs and opportunities in Whanganui.

"While there may be people struggling to find accommodation, those with a good rental history, adequate credit history and income from benefit or salary should have no trouble finding accommodation especially with the accommodation supplement available via Work and Income."

Ms Hipango said the population influx and increasing interest and demand in Whanganui that has driven competition for the housing and accomodation market can also be viewed in a positive way with the potential for regional growth and development.