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

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

Government urged to take next step to help families

May 19, 2016

Government urged to take next step to help families living on our streets

The Government’s announcement of more funding for emergency housing is a welcome first step and will provide some relief to homeless families, individuals and hard-pressed service providers.

However emergency housing providers are calling for the government to now take the next step of changing existing policies and moving families in emergency housing programmes to the top of the list for social housing.

Emergency housing providers provide intensive wrap around support and typically work with families for 10-16 weeks to prepare them to move into permanent housing, in addition to providing a safe place to stay during that time.

Monte Cecilia Housing Trust CEO Bernie Smith says emergency housing providers are full because families are not able to find affordable rentals once they have completed the programmes on offer.

“We have had families waiting for up to nine months before they receive a suitable offer of housing. Not only is that difficult for the families but it is a missed opportunity - we could have been helping many more families.”

He says families benefitting from the intensive case management wrap around support services are better equipped to sustain any new tenancy long term.

“The Government should make these families a priority for social housing as they already fund the wrap around services – it is a natural progression. Taking this next step is in line with the Minister for Social Housing Paula Bennett’s goal of moving people to a place where they are independent and it is also the best use of government funding.”

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.

De Paul House’s Jan Rutledge says the government’s new commitment to assist those needing emergency housing is good news and is now focused on making sure this investment is making the best use of its programmes.

“We agree the average stay should be 12-16 weeks, but that’s not happening now. Three families have been staying with us for between nine to 13 months, which is not the best use of our resources with so much demand for emergency housing places. Their needs are very real and they should be priority for social housing.”

She says the social housing waiting list priorities need to change to enable families to successfully transition into affordable rental housing and allow providers to assist more families.

“Currently we have two families who have taken between six to eight weeks to be assessed for social housing with the Ministry of Social Development. This is despite an obvious need and the fact that they are living in emergency housing – things need to move quicker than this.”

ENDS

© Scoop Media

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


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... 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.