Auckland Mayoral candidate David Hay said today that he would sell Airport and Ports of Auckland shares to pay for temporary emergency housing.

"The Auckland Council is sitting on huge pots of money, while families are sleeping in cars and garages, in the middle of winter. It's just not right." said Mr Hay.

"The Manurewa Marae had right idea: they didn't muck around agonising about the problem of homelessness. They did something practical, positive and necessary: they hired temporary and portable accommodation units, put them on a bit of spare land, and provided safe dry housing for people in need. They have put Auckland Council to shame." said Mr Hay.

"If I am elected mayor of Auckland I will follow their lead. The council will talk to community groups, churches, sports clubs and marae to find places where temporary housing units can be placed, and then pay to lease those units for as long as they are needed. I will place them in public parks, if necessary."

"We could easily fund this out of council resources, even if it meant selling some shares." said Mr Hay. "Of course I would also send an invoice to the Minister of Social Housing. Auckland ratepayers shouldn't have to pay for this - it's a government responsibility."

"Somebody has to step up and do what's right, right now, because the government won't. I will."

ENDS

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