Council Housing not for sale in Christchurch - Christchurch City Council Media Release, 2002

15 February 2002

Council Housing not for sale in Christchurch

While Auckland City Council considers the sale of its public housing, Christchurch City Council remains firm in its commitment to providing public housing for its people in need.

A public notice published in yesterday’s Auckland Herald indicated that the Auckland City Council intends to consider a motion to sell more than 130 properties in Central Auckland. Carole Anderton, City Councillor and Chair of the Housing Sub-committee, said that she was shocked that Auckland City Council might decide to sell its public housing.

“In Christchurch, we have no intention to consider the sale of the Council’s public housing.

Christchurch City Council was the pioneer of public housing in New Zealand, providing the first accommodation 1938. We are now the second biggest landlord in the country after housing New Zealand. We provide affordable homes to over 2500 people whose only other option may be homelessness”, said Cr Anderton.

Cr Anderton said that City Housing is self-funding and does not rely on ratepayers funds. “As far as we are concerned, City Housing is very important to the Council, and it will continue to provide benefits to our community, without costing the ratepayer anything”, said Cr Anderton.

For more information: Carole Anderton (City Councillor and Chair of the Housing Subcommittee), ph: 366 9628 or 025 220 8536.

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