As someone who's skipped the whole OE and worked hard to scrape together a house deposit, living in a not too great area surrounded by KO homes whilst struggling somewhat to pay the mortgage, I don't get the sensationalism surrounding the news articles focusing on KO lately. Like, I'd love to be able to live in a nicely insulated home where the cost won't exceed 25% of my income. If people take the mickey in this situation we shouldn't be giving them a rent free pass? ie rewarding people for not playing their part in society. Alternative headline: Tenants who don't pay rent get evicted.

[–] liv@lemmy.nz 6 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

Being poor doesn't always mean you're taking the mickey. But all humans need shelter and warmth.

[–] MadMonkey@lemmy.world 3 points 1 month ago (2 children)

Maybe a solution is to increase the amount people get through the benefit system.

But to be clear, I'm definitely talking about the <1% of tenants who are taking the Mickey, and I don't think what KO has been doing in the recent past has really worked for them.

[–] liv@lemmy.nz 1 points 1 month ago

Yes it's clearly not fit for purpose.

Unless you have insurance (which I hope you do) if you got struck down bu one of the dread diseases you'd be unlikely to afford to rent a kainaga ora house.

Because you have a housing deposit you's not elligible for Accomodation supplement leaving you witb $342 a week. Take away 25% rent you're left with $264 per week to cover everything food, bills, utilities.

It doesn't take much to overset that. One disastwr in your life and suddenly money is supeertight.

[–] Ilovethebomb@lemmy.nz 1 points 1 month ago

There was a KO housing development that was burned down in an arson attack recently, almost certainly by a local resident.

They've dug a massive hole for themselves, because the actions of a minority of people in their housing have given them such a poor reputation that nobody wants to live next to a KO property, and are willing to go as far as committing arson to avoid it.

It's a serious problem, and it should never have gotten this far.

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