More welfare for the wealthy

The Herald reports:

People wanting to buy one of the Government’s affordably priced homes will not be income-tested.

That means high-income earners will not be blocked from purchasing one of the 100,000 planned houses to be built over 10 years, which will be priced at up to $650,000.

Housing Minister Phil Twyford said the criteria for prospective buyers in the KiwiBuild scheme were still being developed.

It is already known that the houses will be limited to first home-buyers and permanent residents.

But it is understood that income caps will not be used for the scheme.

That’s great news that this Government is going to help millionaires buy an affordable home.

Also great that wealthy migrants will qualify for an affordable home.

Labour cares about poor New Zealanders, not votes. That is why they are allowing wealthy New Zealanders to use the scheme.

Income-testing has been used for other Government housing initiatives – including the HomeStart grant for first home buyers – to ensure that demand is limited to only those who need them most.

The HomeStart grants are limited to sole buyers earning less than $85,000 or two or more buyers earning less than $130,000.

In the case of KiwiBuild, the Government feels affordable housing should not be restricted only to those on low or modest incomes.

Not enough voters there. So one Government did housing initiatives targeted at those most in need. This Government does housing initiatives targeted at those they most need to vote for them.