Minister demands Kāinga Ora fill empty social houses

Photo: RNZ / Samuel RillstoneHousing Minister Chris Bishop has written to the board of Kāinga Ora Homes and Communities to make clear he expects social homes not to be left empty longer than absolutely necessary. "I wish to make clear my expectation that, with over 25,000 people on the social housing waitlist, social houses owned by Kāinga Ora are not to be left empty for a day longer than absolutely necessary. It is my expectation that Kāinga Ora works with much greater urgency to fill its vacant homes," Bishop wrote. "Of these new homes, 287 were empty for more than four months despite thousands of families waiting for social homes such as these." You might be living in a motel or you might be bunking with firends and familybut you need a social house."