3. Question No. 3—HousingCHRIS BISHOP (National) to the Associate Minister of Housing (Public Housing)Question No. 3—Housing3. CHRIS BISHOP (National) to the Associate Minister of Housing (Public Housing): Does she stand by her statement in regards to the Housing Register that we're doing everything we can to get a roof over their heads"; if so is she concerned that since she made that statement the number of Kiwis waiting for a State house has increased by nearly 5000?Hon POTO WILLIAMS (Associate Minister of Housing (Public Housing)): Yes; that is why we have built over 7000 public houses since we came to office and housed over 30000 households from the register since 2017. In answer to the second part of the member's question I'm concerned that we inherited a Housing Register that did not have the funding or the resources required to support those in need of a house or to get people off the register nor did we have a Government build programme that could address the growing housing need. That's why in Budget 2022 we invested $11.7 million into providing additional support for those on the register and why we have committed to the largest State housing build programme since the 1970s.Chris Bishop: With regard to the build programme that the Minister's just mentioned why has Kāinga Ora demolished or sold more State homes this year than it's actually built?Hon POTO WILLIAMS: While I can't confirm that what I can confirm is that since July last year we've added nearly 900 public houses. The last Government left office in 2017 with nearly 1500 fewer public houses than when they were first elected. I'll stand behind our record any day.DEPUTY SPEAKER: The Hon Chris Hipkins.Hon Chris Hipkins: Can the—Chris Bishop: Point of order. Mr Speaker this has happened again this week and it's not your fault but the traditional protocol is for the member asking the questions to get two supplementary questions before you go wider to other parties; I've just had the one. It happened on Tuesday as well.DEPUTY SPEAKER: Yeah you are correct. Sorry I miscounted. I'll go to Chris Bishop; sorry about that.Chris Bishop: Can she confirm that it takes 246 days to house the average applicant on the public housing register; and if so when can New Zealanders expect that average to return to 53 days which it was when Labour came to office?Hon POTO WILLIAMS: I can confirm that but let me be clear: the housing crisis we inherited included fewer public houses and an under-resourced housing register and a flat-lining Government build programme that has put us in this situation. That's why we've committed to the largest build programme since the 1970s and housed over 30000 households from the register since 2017.Chris Bishop: Does she have a target for how long it should take to house the average applicant on the public housing register and what advice has she received if any on reaching that target?Hon POTO WILLIAMS: Our target is to ensure that anyone who needs a house gets a house unlike that Government who allowed people to live in their cars. People realise that this Government is supportive of them and they come to us looking for help. We've housed 30000 households and that for me is a great record so far. There is much more we can do.Chris Bishop: How many independent 16- and 17-year-olds living in motels are currently on the public housing register?Hon POTO WILLIAMS: I'm sorry I don't have that figure to hand. Please put it in writing and I will address it.Chris Bishop: Is she aware that according to rental bond data released for the month of April by Tenancy Services New Zealand has experienced the smallest year-on-year increase in active bonds in the rental market since records began; and is she concerned that this lack of rental supply will lead to continued increases in the public housing register?Hon POTO WILLIAMS: What will support people to get off the register is more housing. That's why I back this Government's record in supporting community housing providers to build more public housing—that is how we will get out of this issue—unlike that Government who when they left office there were fewer State houses for people on the public housing register.Chris Bishop: Has she sought advice recently from officials on whether the removal of interest deductibility as an expense for landlords has increased the number of applicants on the State house waiting list; and if not will she commission that advice?Hon POTO WILLIAMS: Part of that delegation the member refers to is for the Minister of Housing however in consultation with her if she feels that it is useful we will do so. I'm really pleased to see that that member is finally taking an interest in this particular portfolio. This is I think only the third time he's asked a question since he's taken over that delegation so I'm grateful that there will be more to come and that he will take a greater interest in his mahi from now on.Chris Bishop: When is that Minister going to stop blaming the last National Government and start taking some accountability for the five years of incompetence and neglect that has seen a quintupling in the State house waiting list under this Government?Hon POTO WILLIAMS: When that Opposition actually realise that their record is woeful and hopeless next to ours."