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

 

Early progress for Auckland relocation grants

Hon Paula Bennett

Minister for Social Housing


28 July 2016 Media Statement

Early progress for Auckland relocation grants

Grants to help people in or waiting for social housing with the costs of moving from Auckland are off to a good start and are already making a difference, Social Housing Minister Paula Bennett says.

Since the policy took effect one month ago, 12 applicants have received the non-recoverable grant, supporting 32 people. $54,508 has been paid out, covering things like moving costs, bond, rent in advance and letting fees.

Assistance has been approved for a further 10 applicants, supporting 20 people, pending confirmed moving dates and verification of costs.

“Although it is still early days, I am pleased to see people are taking up the offer of help,” Mrs Bennett says.

Six are moving to private accommodation, with the other half moving to social housing. Six were existing social housing tenants, and six have been on the social housing register waiting for a home. One applicant was homeless and four were in emergency housing.

“This policy isn’t about the numbers though. These are real people, and I am glad we can support them into more stable housing that suits their needs,” Mrs Bennett says.

“One successful applicant has happily made the move to Invercargill. She had been living with her sister but was asked to leave and ended up in her car. While talking with Housing New Zealand about support in Auckland, it was identified that she had extended family support in Southland and she asked for help to move to Invercargill. She accepted the offer of a two-bedroom home there.”

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.

Other locations applicants have moved to include Rotorua, Brookfield Tokoroa, and Tawa.

“I’m particularly pleased to see that five applicants are moving to jobs,” Mrs Bennett says.

“We introduced this grant to remove the cost barrier for people who may want to move to cheaper regions where they may have family and other support networks, but simply cannot afford it.

“The grant is voluntary and may not be for everyone, but it is just one of the many initiatives in place or being rolled out to help people in a very tight housing market.”

The Government’s comprehensive plan to house more vulnerable people and increase the supply of social housing includes:

• Including the new places funded, and the homes Housing New Zealand and community housing providers are building, buying or leasing, there will be 3000 extra social houses in Auckland;

• Investing $41.1 million in emergency accommodation and a non-recoverable special needs grant to support those with the most urgent need for housing

• Growing the community housing sector by making providers eligible to receive ongoing funding through the Income Related Rent Subsidy, and considering transferring some HNZ properties to them for ongoing use as social housing

• Freeing up properties for those in most pressing need through tenancy reviews, which has seen 609 people move into private accommodation and 103 purchase their own home

• Supporting people transition into greater independence in private accommodation by paying things like bond and letting fees

• Launched a dedicated housing service for young people who are homeless which also aims to help them gain the life skills needed to live independently.

Updated numbers of the Relocating from Auckland grant will be provided as part of the regular quarterly social housing reporting process.

© 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.