What's the purpose of state housing?

[Hitcher]

I fail to understand why State Housing should be "Market rates"

State housing should be for lower income families, at lower rates.

After all, there are no mortgages on the properties, any maintenance (should) be done by state employees...........

It seems like a self sustaining model to me.... No?

State housing isn't at "market rates". It should be. Why should families of identical means or need be treated differently based on who their landlord is?

Remember that the actual rent on a state rental property is subsidised through taxpayer funded benefits. The taxpayer is picking up the difference between what the tenants actually pay and what it costs to provide the rental property. All of this nonsense about rents being income related is tablets-of-stone dogma that is unthinkingly sicked up by the wet middle classes who are all in favour of state housing, as long as it's not anywhere near where they live.

And since when have "state employees" picked up a hammer or a mop? And back in the day when they may have, how was that any cheaper than an enforceable performance-based contract?

[Hitcher]

Strip mine Southland lignite coal.

A topic probably worthy of a discussion in another thread. Lignite can't be mined by any other method than strip mining, but I suspect from your tone that you possibly weren't recommending such a practice.

[Brett]

Do you now feel really awesome after your lame attempt at insulting me?

No, your comment just annoyed me, stupid response on my behalf, I apologise. (Genuine)

[SMOKEU]

No, your comment just annoyed me, stupid response on my behalf, I apologise. (Genuine)

That's all good, no harm done.

[Hinny]

State housing isn't at "market rates". It should be. Why should families of identical means or need be treated differently based on who their landlord is?

Remember that the actual rent on a state rental property is subsidised through taxpayer funded benefits. The taxpayer is picking up the difference between what the tenants actually pay and what it costs to provide the rental property. All of this nonsense about rents being income related is tablets-of-stone dogma that is unthinkingly sicked up by the wet middle classes who are all in favour of state housing, as long as it's not anywhere near where they live.




And since when have "state employees" picked up a hammer or a mop? And back in the day when they may have, how was that any cheaper than an enforceable performance-based contract?

Well this comment is 20 years out of date.

[Hitcher]

Well this comment is 20 years out of date.

Really? When Labour became the government in 1999 they discontinued the previous National government's market rents system. Since then National has lost interest in that particular line of endeavour and state house tenants pay rents based on their "incomes". If you think that's an out of date perspective, I'd appreciate some clarification.

[geoffm]

Having done some work on Housing NZ projects, they are an education. Some of the losers there had it sweet - no need to work, start drinking Stienies at 10am, sitting on the steps and laugh at the workers who paid for it...
Reason why there a housing shortage of budget housing - it is simple. Look at the no hopers and druggies in the HNZ ghettos. Would you loan them quarter of a million bucks and rely on them for your retirement plans? That is what you are talking about. I would not rent to a long term beneficiary (genuine invalids possibly excepted) - if you can't be bothered getting a job, how are you going to pay the rent?

[Hinny]

Really? When Labour became the government in 1999 they discontinued the previous National government's market rents system. Since then National has lost interest in that particular line of endeavour and state house tenants pay rents based on their "incomes". If you think that's an out of date perspective, I'd appreciate some clarification.

They pay market rents. No reference to income.
The accommodation supplement is available to all and determined by income testing. It is not administered by H. Corp. and is not H. Corps area of responsibility.
The accommodation supplement is available to eligible tenants whether they are renting from H. Corp. or privately.