Headline: Green Party housing package offers debt free ownership
“The Green Party’s housing package offers the best solutions for Māori because it offers both debt free home ownership and gives whānau who rent a fair go too,” said Green Party Ikaroa-Rāwhiti candidate Marama Davidson.
“The Green Party launched our Home for Life housing policy at Ratana at the beginning of the year. We have a long standing commitment to improving housing for Māori whānau.
“Our housing policy allows whānau to rent to own their homes. So they don’t need to get a loan at all. A family’s normal rent payment becomes a payment towards owning their home.
“The Green policy is a loan free and affordable way for whānau to own a home. Many Māori are paying rent to pay someone else’s mortgage. Under our plan, your rent would pay your own mortgage.
“Our housing policy also helps those families who will still be renting by giving them more rental security so they can’t just be kicked out of their home.
“Our policy would limit rent increases to only once a year and stop arbitrary and unexpected rent hikes by putting limits on how much landlords can increase rents by.
“We would give tenants a right of renewal on rental agreements to encourage people to have longer term rental arrangements. That gives families real security in their rental homes.
“Our Warrant of Fitness for rental homes will mean all houses have to be warm, dry and have the basics and that landlords will have to make sure they are properly maintained.
“Our Green housing policy is a comprehensive blueprint for better housing and is better for Māori.”
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