Hon Phil Twyford

Minister of Housing and Urban Development

Hon Nanaia Mahuta

Minister for Māori Development

1 June 2018

MEDIA STATEMENT

EMBARGOED UNTIL 10:30AM

Local whānau with urgent housing needs are set to benefit from new housing in Northland and the trial of an innovative rent-to-own scheme announced by the Government today.

Housing and Urban Development Minister Phil Twyford and Māori Development Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced Government investment of $8.7 million in housing initiatives in Whangarei, Kaikohe and Kaitaia.

The Ministers visited the Ōtangarei community this morning, which is where a new four-unit transitional housing development will be built.

“The Government is committed to increasing the number of homes available in Northland, and across New Zealand to tackle homelessness and make sure all New Zealanders have access to housing,” Phil Twyford said.

Minister Mahuta said warm, dry and safe housing is vital for the future of whānau development.

“The new Ōtangarei Papakāinga Limited development will provide transitional homes for up to sixteen Northland families a year, while they receive support to secure a longer-term place to live and rebuild their futures,” Nanaia Mahuta said.

Minister Mahuta also announced an innovative trial that will be brought to Kaitaia to assist low-income whānau to move toward owning their own homes.

“We are also supporting He Korowai Trust’s project to test an affordable rent-to-own home ownership model that enables whānau to not just put a roof over their heads, but eventually own it.

“All these initiatives showcase the success that is possible when Government, rōpū and the wider community can work together and combine expertise and resources to build homes to shelter whanau,” Nanaia Mahuta said.

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