State housing insulation will have great health and income impacts

The Council of Trade Unions has welcomed a Green Party pre budget announcement today of $50 million to go towards insulation of state housing.

“There are so many reasons why investing in healthy and warm homes is beneficial to low income families in state houses,” CTU vice president Maori Sharon Clair said.

“It has a hugely positive impact on the health of families and in preventing problems such as respiratory illnesses, not to mention the cost saving for tenants through reduced energy use. With many Maori on low incomes and in state housing, this is particularly important for Maori families.”

“We are also aware of the subsidies available to the private rental sector for this work, and hope to see more retrofitting across the board.”

“The CTU has supported the government’s climate change agenda, but said that a number of measures needed to work alongside emissions trading, such as community and work-based education campaigns and other energy conservation measures.”

“Today’s announcement is a positive step in this direction,” Sharon Clair said.

The CTU is also working with the Government and Business NZ on an awareness raising programme for workers and employers on energy efficiency, and another project about to start examines the trade skills needed for a sustainable economy.

Ends. Click here for recent CTU policy statements and submissions on climate change.