By Tom Kitchin of RNZThe future of council-owned housing in Napier is in limbo, as the city grapples with one of the worst social housing crises in the country. The Napier City Council said although it expected demand to keep growing, the houses it owned were not in good shape and might have to be sold. "The Hawke's Bay District Health Board do not support council's consideration of a reduction in council-owned affordable housing stock in response to unsustainable costs, particularly while there is a deficit in affordable housing in Napier City," the submission read. "We submit that the council should instead consider increasing direct investment in housing provision or other mechanisms to increase affordable housing supply. Maxine Boag, the Napier City councillor with the housing portfolio, said the new healthy homes standards had piled up costs.

Source: New Zealand Herald July 15, 2021 10:49 UTC