Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

More housing support for vulnerable youth

More housing support for vulnerable youth

Vulnerable young people needing a supportive and stable living environment will benefit from a new accommodation service, Social Housing Minister Paula Bennett says.

Supported Accommodation for Youth will see up to 21 young people aged 16-19, who are on the social housing register, housed for as long as they need it.

“I’m thrilled to launch this initiative, because it will make a genuine difference to the lives of some of our most vulnerable young New Zealanders,” says Mrs Bennett.

The service started in Palmerston North and Christchurch at the beginning of July with two young people already placed in the service in Christchurch and referrals underway in Palmerston North. Auckland’s service will commence in early August. Nationwide, the service costs around $125,000 per year.

Delivered by community providers, the service also provides young people with a range of support from learning basic living skills to helping them access other support in the community, such as Youth Service.

“The Government knows that vulnerable young people can have a particularly complex set of needs and are more likely to become dependent on the State over a longer period of time,” Mrs Bennett says.

“We have always been more ambitious for our youth. Ensuring they have a roof over their heads means we can more effectively dig in and ensure they’re getting access to education, employment, and we are supporting them back to independence.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

“The combination of a stable, safe living environment gives these young people a better opportunity to become self-sufficient. They will be living with others their own age in properties ranging from two to five bedrooms with ready access to adult support.”

The community providers are Presbyterian Support Upper South Island in Christchurch for up to 8 youths, Te Aroha Noa Community Services in Palmerston North for up to 5 youths and Affinity Services Limited in Auckland for up to 8 youths. These organisations will provide alternative housing in 2 to 5-bedroom properties to house youths referred from the social housing register.

This includes accommodation suitable for teen parents, particularly mums and their child. As either specialist social services providers or health service providers, the organisations will mentor these young people and connect them to other support.

The service will help improve the lives of nearly a quarter of the 82 young people on the register at the end of June who will have access to social workers and psychologists if required.

Supported Accommodation for Youth is a part of the Government’s Social Housing Reform Programme, which is increasing the supply of social housing and better supporting vulnerable New Zealanders in housing that suits their needs.

More information about the Social Housing Reform Programme can be found at:

http://www.msd.govt.nz/about-msd-and-our-work/work-programmes/social-housing/index.html

ENDS


© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.