Margaret Murray-Benge
Bethlehem
Compulsory purchase empty houses
National has the wrong idea for dealing with the housing crisis, it wants to build more houses and free up more land - that will not solve the problems.
We cannot build houses faster, there are not enough builders, not enough bricks, not near enough wood, not enough plumbers or electricians, and not enough carpenters, so just who is going to build all these houses?
The only solution is the compulsory purchase of empty houses (in excess of 20,000) and to stop speculators investing in houses - no private landlords. Nothing else will work.
Jim Adams
Rotorua
The Bay of Plenty Times welcomes letters from readers. Please note the following:
• Letters should not exceed 200 words.
• They should be opinion based on facts or current events.
• If possible, please email.
• No noms de plume.
• Letters will be published with names and suburb/city.
• Please include full name, address and contact details for our records only.
• Local letter writers given preference.
• Rejected letters are not normally acknowledged.
• Letters may be edited, abridged, or rejected at the Editor's discretion.
• The Editor's decision on publication is final. No correspondence will be entered into.