From the Council Housing Action Group and the Pensioner Action Group

18 June 2002

Open Letter to Councillors and the Mayor of Auckland

We are making a final representation to councillors on the eve of the Council decision on the shape of the annual plan and its associated short and longer term consequences.

Public opinion is heavily weighted against the proposed sale of both residential and pensioner housing. You have read thousands of submissions and heard impassioned, considered and well informed views from a broad spectrum of residents and organisations through the oral hearings.

We expect councillors to vote on the sales of council housing as directed by the people of Auckland. We ask that you transcend any party block vote and instead use your conscience vote to retain general and pensioner housing firmly in council hands.

With the terrible stress these proposals are already creating, a decision to sell and relocate tenants would cause some sick, older people to die prematurely, as we were sadly reminded in a local newspaper editorial last week. We feel confident that this will be acknowledged in your decision.

Aucklanders feel so strongly about the retention of council housing that a negative vote will undoubtedly effect the outcome of the next local election. We urge you to heed our voices.

Council Housing Action Group: spokesperson, Sigrid Shayer, ph 3611517

Pensioner Action Group: spokesperson, Maureen Alexander, ph 378 9139

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