Campbell Roberts appointed to state housing review

Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit Director Major Campbell Roberts has been appointed to a government advisory group tasked with reviewing state housing.

The Housing Shareholders’ Advisory Group will explore more efficient ways of utilising the country’s $14 billion investment in social housing.

The government noted that much of this housing stock is in a poor state of repair, in the wrong locations to meet demand, and facing greater demand from older people and larger families.

A statement by Finance Minister Bill English and Housing Minister Phil Heatley acknowledged The Salvation Army’s analysis of housing in New Zealand in its 2010 State of the Nation report A Road to Recovery. The report highlighted a lack of adequate housing, particularly in South Auckland.

Mr Heatley says: “The advisory group will make recommendations on the best and fairest way of providing state housing services to those most in need, in the highest priority areas, for as long as they need it."

The group is headed by company director and global business consultancy senior partner Alan Jackson. Other members are Andrew Body, director of Crown Fibre Holdings, Martin Udale, independent property consultant, and Paul White, principal of Torea Tai Consultants.