Duncan Garner does some good work on social issues. His piece today (warning annoying autoplay video) is another sad example of an avoidable death:
HUSBAND DIES AFTER PLEAS TO LEAVE COLD STATE HOUSE IGNORED
Soesa Tovo died on August 15 last year.
…
Doctors and the local DHB had requested, on a number of occasions in the year leading up to his death, that this family be moved, because of his health and the cold and damp state of the house. He had been treated for heart and lung problems and pneumonia in hospital. Their repeated pleas did not trigger Housing NZ to move the family. …Update: Housing New Zealand Chief Executive Glen Sowry admits to Duncan Garner they got it wrong
Admitting that they got it wrong is the very least HNZ can do. Now they have to make sure that it doesn’t happen again.
I/S at No Right Turn makes a good point:
An obvious question is whether this house – which was apparently partially insulated, but uncarpeted and unheated, would meet National’s proposed “standards”. And if the answer is “yes”, those standards are obviously not high enough.
The pressure must go on the government for a proper housing warrant of fitness. This should not be happening in New Zealand.
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