Tenants living in state houses will be given an opportunity
to buy their house from September.
Housing Minister Phil Heatley told The Dominion Post the
scheme would be available to most Housing New Zealand tenants
-- but not all.
Exclusions would include homes on land subject to Treaty of
Waitangi claims or land not owned by Housing NZ, blocks of
flats which were not on separate titles, and any homes
considered strategically important.
Housing NZ would not have to sell any house, buyers must live
in the house and could not live in a state house for three
years after their purchase.
Houses would be sold at market rate, as assessed by an
independent valuer, and the Government would consider
increasing the cap on Welcome Home mortgage guarantees to
make it easier for all low income buyers.
Mr Heatley said Housing NZ would use the money from sales to
build new houses.
"We're providing an opportunity for those in a state house
who've always wanted to buy their home.
"It's a win-win. Someone moves into home ownership, someone
else moves into the replacement house off the waiting list."
Hundreds of people were likely to take up the offer, Mr
Heatley said.
Bookmark/Search this post with:
A name, residential address, and (preferably residential) telephone number is required from readers who comment on ODT Online. These details will not be visible to site visitors.