Pensioner rents to rise

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 11, Issue 524, 22 February 1994, Page 1

Pensioner rents to rise

Pensioner housing rentals for council tenants will rise over the next five years as a result of the Housing Corporation increasing the Ruapehu District Council' s housing loans from about 3.5 percent to 7.75 per cent. Loans interest payments for all council pensioner flats will increase from $3 8,071 in 1993-94 to $52,848 in 1994/ 95. In his report to councillors, finance manager Eric Lei said help with rent was now available through the New Zealand Income Support Services to low income earners. "All hell will break loose - a lot of pensioners won't understand this," said Cr Irene Dempsey. "People are going to need help seeking the housing support." She said the people most affected would be the ones confused the most by the changes. Cr Weston Kirton said it was a sensitive issue and that it would have been better to release the information at the same time as the effects of the changes were known. Turn to Page 2

Pensioner rents

From Page One "Councillors are entitled to prior knowledge of what's down the track. If I knew about it and didn't tell you and sat on it for a few months I would be criticised," said Mr Houston. Cr Bob Peck said the tenants were pensioners who had 1 turned to the council for help with affordable housing. "There is a great deal of humiliation in the way go vernment departments handle these people and we should take that into account when we set our policy," said Mr Peck