Risks

36. The main housing risks arising from the recession for Māori are that:
    • home ownership and good quality rental housing becomes less affordable as rents increase and incomes remain relatively static, or potentially decrease;
    • job security reduces for the employed, or is perceived to reduce;
    • unemployment increases;
    • the costs of personal debt increases;
    • other basic living costs such as food and power reduce the ability of Māori to pay for good quality rental housing and/or to save for homeownership;
    • increasing pressure is placed on available public housing; and
    • declining levels of home ownership reduce the associated inter-generational benefits for Māori.