Sell-off of state houses cancelled by new Government

The move's a big turnaround of the previous government's policy on crown owned homes.

More than 2000 Christchurch state housing tenants will this week receive a Christmas present in the mail – a letter from Housing New Zealand telling them their landlord won't be changing.

The Government has today fulfilled its election promise of cancelling the sell-off of state houses.

Up to 2500 state houses in Christchurch were to be transferred to new landlords by the middle of next year.

Hundreds of people attended a protest earlier this year opposing the previous government's plans.

Housing Minister Phil Twyford says this week tenants in Shirley, Bryndwr and Riccarton will receive letters telling them their homes will not be sold.

"I'm pleased these families will be able to enjoy Christmas without the uncertainty this sale would create," Mr Twyford said.

Many of the houses would have been moved into the hands of community housing providers.

"This Government is committed to not only keeping these houses within state ownership, but increasing the number of state houses."

There are currently just over 63,000 state houses across the country.

SHARE ME

More Stories