Labor claims first home buyers locked out

NSW government grants for existing homeowners buying or building new houses are hurting first home buyers, the opposition says.

Investors are receiving NSW government help to buy property at nearly twice the rate that new home buyers are, the state's opposition says.

NSW Labor says statistics from the Office of State Revenue show that in the last year 9802 New Home Scheme grants have been paid to property investors and existing home owners buying a new home or block of land.

But only 5375 first home buyer grants have been paid out to first-timers buying a new home or block of land over the same period, Labor says.

These property debutants are eligible for a $15,000 grant when they purchase a new home, home off the plan or land that they intend to build on.

The New Home Grant scheme is open to people who already own property to do the same, but is worth $5000.

Opposition Leader John Robertson said on Saturday that offering grants to existing homeowners to buy more property was making it harder for first home buyers to gain a foothold.

"It is one thing to help first home buyers get that important first step into the housing market, but something entirely different to be doling out taxpayer-funded cash grants to property investors buying up multiple properties across the city," he said in a statement.

"All the O'Farrell government is doing is locking more and more first home buyers out of the housing market and putting the great Australian dream of owning your own home out of reach for many."


Share

2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world