Media Release - Council Housing Action Group

Protests at Open Homes for Council House Sales

19 May 2002

Protests organised by the Council Housing Action Group will take place today outside Council house Open Homes in Freemans Bay and Grey Lynn. Viewing sessions start at 11am to 12.30pm, 1pm to 2.30pm in Freemans Bay and 3pm to 4.30pm in Grey Lynn.

Protesters yesterday made their presence felt at all sites and received much support from members of the passing public.

The Group objects to the sales of the units over which there has been no public consultation, having been left out of the draft annual plan consultation process and regardless that the Government recently announced its intention that these properties would be scheduled as strategic assets.

With the Auckland Regional Growth Forum projecting that affordability problems in Auckland will increase by at least 50% in the next 15 years, this dictatorial and business driven move by Council is also a false economy.

The Council Housing Action Group, which is affiliated to Wake Up Auckland, also objects to the marketing of the units as encouraging aspiring purchasers to come and join the "stylists, designers, film-industry types, architects and artists who now live here".

Media spokesperson, Sigrid Shayer, says, "Low income households are being forced to leave their home of many years, uproot themselves from their networks of family and friends, and try and find similar accommodation in today's acknowledged high and insecure rental market. This is more reminiscent of attitudes and behaviour in Victorian Britain than in a supposed civilised society of the 21st century."

For more information please contact Sigrid Shayer, media spokesperson CHAG ph 3611517 sigridshayer@ezysurf.co.nz

Attached are full details of homes and viewing times.

URGENT – THE FIRST COUNCIL HOMES ARE BEING SOLD NOW!

This is the time where your presence counts

Protest against the open homes of the first housing sell-offs this weekend at the following sites

Saturday 18 May
Meet outside the Freemans Bay Community Centre, 52-54 Hepburn Street at 12:45 pm for a protest outside the open homes 1 – 2:30 pm at
6/7-9 Hayden St
7/14 Hayden St
6/8 Pratt St
3 + 15/49 Colllingwood St
Sales office at 5/55 Hepburn St

In Grey Lynn, meet on Williamson Ave, outside Foodtown at 2:45 pm for a protest outside the open homes 3 – 4 pm at
12 + 17/2 Schofield St
6 + 9/1A Dryden St

Sunday, 19 May
Meet outside the Freemans Bay Community Centre at 10:45 am for a protest outside the open homes 11 am – 12:30 pm at
1/87 Beresford St
2/59 Hepburn St
3/58 Wellington St
9/116 Wellington St
Sales office at 5/55 Hepburn St

Meet outside the Freemans Bay Community Centre at 12:45 pm for a protest outside the open homes 1 – 2:30 pm at
6/7-9 Hayden St
7/14 Hayden St
6/8 Pratt St
3 + 15/49 Colllingwood St
Sales office at 5/55 Hepburn St

In Grey Lynn, meet on Williamson Ave, outside Foodtown at 2:45 pm for a protest outside the open homes 3 – 4 pm at
12 + 17/2 Schofield St
6 + 9/1A Dryden St

Do something now or lose the flats!

Council Housing Action Group
Contact 021 173 3442 or 361 2520

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