Monte Cecilia Housing Trust is dismayed at the negative impact of Housing New Zealand reforms.

Recent changes by Housing New Zealand are increasing the numbers of vulnerable families trapped in overcrowded, unhealthy, substandard housing. “At Monte Cecilia Housing Trust more and more desperate families are telling us that they have been turned away by Housing New Zealand because they are not eligible for housing,” says David Zussman, Trust Executive.

These families cannot afford housing in the private sector and have no other option but to remain in shocking living conditions. They are approaching the Trust saying “Housing New Zealand won’t help us. Where do we go and what are we meant to do?” Recent cases include a mother and child sleeping in a car who were told by Housing New Zealand that they could afford the private sector. “I think most New Zealanders would expect a homeless family like this to receive some meaningful kind of assistance and support from a government agency,” comments David Zussman.

Housing New Zealand have stated that they are concentrating on those in most serious need – they have redefined the criteria and stopped helping anyone who is outside of these. This is creating a massive gap in services which the government is doing nothing to address. “There are no joined-up government services here and it looks as if the situation is only going to get worse, ” states David Zussman.

ENDS

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