12. State and Social Housing—Availability Homelessness and Housing StockMARAMA DAVIDSON (Green) to the Minister for Social HousingState and Social Housing—Availability Homelessness and Housing Stock12. MARAMA DAVIDSON (Green) to the Minister for Social Housing: Why has Housing New Zealand built only 125 more houses than it has demolished across New Zealand since June 2009?Hon AMY ADAMS (Minister for Social Housing): Housing New Zealand houses are demolished for a number of reasons—for example being earthquake prone fire damage significant meth contamination or for redevelopment. In many parts of New Zealand the increase in demand is relatively recent and did not previously warrant large increases in supply. Looking at the figures nationally does not take into account local demand and variation. It is also worth noting that significant increases to stock in areas of high demand like Auckland were not possible until plan changes under the Auckland Unitary Plan took place. Since that has been confirmed the Government has signed off on a multibillion-dollar programme to build 13500 new social houses in Auckland alone as well as large build programmes in areas like Christchurch Wellington and the Hutt Valley.Marama Davidson: Why has it taken children living in carparks and caravan parks for the Minister to commit to acquiring at least 2000 more social houses each year as today's Salvation Army Taking Stock report has suggested as a necessary minimum?Hon AMY ADAMS: As I mentioned in an earlier answer to the House the Government committed to that level of building in the purchasing intentions announced last year. As to the issue of people living in cars and not in secure houses that is an issue that has plagued New Zealand since well through the last Labour-Greens Government. At least we are dealing with it.Marama Davidson: Does the Minister think it is acceptable that pensioners beneficiaries and other low-income New Zealanders may be paying up to 75 percent of their income in rent due to the shortage of safe housing caused by the Government's failure to build enough State houses?Hon AMY ADAMS: There are two things I would say in response to that. The first is that in terms of the population of New Zealand the per capita rate of people waiting for social housing has gone down under this Government. The second thing I would say is that this Government in Budget 2017 put up the accommodation supplement rates. We thank the Greens for supporting that; it is a pity Labour did not. And last year this Government became the first Government in 43 years to put up benefit payments to help people in need.Marama Davidson: Does the Minister concede that decreasing State housing stock has caused the highest level of homelessness in the OECD and put undue strain on low-income renters?Hon AMY ADAMS: Again referring to an answer I gave earlier in question time there are actually more income-related rent subsidy (IRRS) places available now than there were under the Labour-Greens Government. I do not accept the number that the member refers to from the Yale report. If New Zealand measured its homelessness the way countries like Japan do we would be one of the very best in the world. Even that report said you cannot use it to compare countries.