Alliance Party believes National still saying the same old thing on housing

National is still saying the same old thing when it comes to housing policy says Alliance Party Housing Spokesperson Tom Dowie.

He sees National as returning to form by refusing to introduce a Capital Gains Tax. They regurgitate the same old false-hoods about it hurting ‘Mum and Dad investors’ saving up for their retirement.

'This is nothing but pure bovine excrement as the tax would only kick in if the properties were sold. Properties are not normally sold until their mainly older owners have died or when elderly pensioners need the money to top up their superannuation,” he said.

Mr Dowie also criticised Housing Minister Phil Heatley’s statement that "there are fundamental problems with how the market is operating".

The Alliance points out that this is because the market speculation has failed globally and now taxpayers around the world are being forced by governments to rescue greedy property speculators and banks who started the process in the first place.

In order to remedy this situation, the Alliance is reminding New Zealanders that it believes in:

• Introducing low-interest, no-deposit loans for low-income workers and beneficiaries to enable them to buy homes.
• Increase the number of state houses being built to ensure adequate supply of affordable housing.
• Help local councils and other agencies provide pensioner flats and social housing with loans at below market interest rates, but only if rents are set at less than 25% of household income.
• Establish a public housing construction agency employing builders and apprentices to build state houses, and to modernise and insulate existing state houses.
• Introduce capital gains taxes to reduce speculation and end the instability of the housing market.
• Introduce rent controls and stronger tenancy protection.
“Another strong reason for introducing a more progressive housing policy is that it will provide a hefty economic stimulus through its proposed house building programme and, furthermore, a capital gains tax will mean that those wanting to either buy or build a home are able to do so at an affordable price,” said Mr Dowie.

Ends.

© Scoop Media