Free up more land for homes

Ensure that Housing NZ has resources to increase its rate of acquisition and building of state housing units to at least 3000 units a year for the next 3 years to meet current short fall in social housing
Maintain an income related rental policy of 25% of income for Housing NZ tenants
Facilitate the release of surplus local authority land in order to provide an adequate future land supply for government, local government and third sector housing
Undertake land banking in areas of high housing demand to provide adequate future supply for government, local government, and third sector housing

Labour will simplify the Building Code requirements for the design and construction of all buildings while protecting health, safety and investment
Labour will bring forward access to the $1 billion home energy efficiency fund so that schemes for retrofitting older houses can be expanded in those areas where unemployment is emerging

Keep income-related rents for state house tenants
Maintain the Accommodation Supplement to help low income earners with board, rent, or mortgage costs, and make sure it keeps pace with rising rents and regional variations
Offer Housing New Zealand tenants the opportunity to purchase the property where they live
Develop a new Gateway Housing Initiative where public land is developed for first-home buyers directly or in partnership with community housing organisations
Amend the Building Act 2004 to reduce the huge additional costs imposed on councils and the building industry

Provide the Dept. of Housing and Building with the regulatory powers and resources to address the issues raised in the 'leaky homes' crisis
Establish policy variations (through purchase agreements) that reflect the nature of housing needs within each housing region
Develop a 'home buy' plan, including rent-to-own schemes to encourage private ownership including the use of low deposit and low interest provisions
Develop policies to improve energy efficiencies in all new dwellings, and as refurbishment is required, in existing housing
Review the sale of state rental properties to private developers and re-develop existing rental sites where commercially appropriate

Investigate alternative local body funding arrangements with the aim of abolishing rates on domestic and commercial properties
Adopt a national strategy, including private sector funding, to insulate all NZ homes to at least 1977 standards, prioritising the homes of those with low and fixed incomes
Require all dwellings sold to be assessed for energy efficiency (e.g. insulation, double glazing, heating methods, use of solar energy) and given a standardised energy efficiency rating
Encourage home ownership by allowing working families to capitalise their Working For Families entitlements to help purchase or build a home, extend existing homes, or increase equity in a home