It was disheartening to read in the Rotorua Daily Post (November 28) about Tamara Clarry who, despite working two jobs is unable to find permanent accommodation within her budget. Equally troubling is that she is not alone in this predicament.
In a guest column in the Daily Post on September 3, Social Housing Minister Paula Bennett detailed parts of her government's "Comprehensive Housing Plan", in which she claimed that Housing NZ was "spending billions building thousands of new homes" and that her officials were finalising contracts with providers in Rotorua to provide support for those facing housing issues.
Despite the National government's attempts to portray themselves as knights in shining armour with their "comprehensive housing plan", Ms Clarry's experience makes it clear to see that their plan is anything but comprehensive. In my view, instead of helping, the plan seems to better align with the National Party ethos of making the rich richer by putting profit for property investors first, and access to affordable housing for people second.
Meanwhile our local MP Todd McClay, who owns no less than five homes, is seemingly completely out of touch with the issues people are facing. Perhaps if he spent more time in Rotorua, instead of on international jaunts trying to resurrect the doomed TPP trade deal, then he would be better placed to represent the issues of the very people who elected him in the first place.
RYAN GRAY
Rotorua
