$100 million to be injected into tackling homelessness - 'We're pulling out all the stops'

May 4, 2018

The money will go on extra emergency housing as well as a programme for long-time street sleepers.

The government says it is " pulling out all the stops" to reduce homelessness, allocating $100 million into tackling homelessness and urgent housing. 

"We have seen increasing demand in the winter months across the country. Our goal.. is to make sure we had a plan for winter 2018," Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said. 

"There is no reason why there should be homelessness in a country like New Zealand. We believe we are a country who have the prosperity and the empathy to make sure everyone is housed.

Jacinda Ardern and Phil Twyford announced the package at the Te Puea Marae today.

In the pre-Budget announcement, the government say they will "boost funding for ongoing services for more than 900 households in the Housing First programme in Auckland, Christchurch, Tauranga, Wellington and Lower Hutt", costing $20.5m, and expand Housing First to 550 homes in other regions to a cost of $42.9m. 

Overall, Housing First for more than 1,450 houses is expected to cost $63.4m, and this winter about $37.1m will go to securing additional transitional homes, short-term contracted motels units and Housing First places in Tauranga, Christchurch and Wellington.

Phil Twyford also says those who get the affordable houses will be decided through a ballot, not means testing.

Housing First supports those who have been homeless for an extended period of time. 

"Housing First is a programme for the most vulnerable people and families; those who are really struggling with long-term homelessness or facing multiple and complex needs. It aims to end homelessness, not just manage it," Housing and Urban Development Minister Phil Twyford today. 

"We're pulling out all the stops to support people in need and urgently increase housing supply this winter. We're also investing heavily in the future of the Housing First programme to support our most vulnerable homeless people and families," Mr Twyford said. 

"By the end of winter, we will have more than 1,500 additional transitional, public and Housing First places, compared to the end of last year."

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