April 13, 2020
Push paying off to house the homeless
The Housing Minister says almost 500 homeless people have so fare been housed in motels units in an attempt to keep them safe from COVID-19.
Megan Woods says as of Thursday evening 962 motel units in 15 towns and cities across New Zealand had been secured and made available.
Officials are working with housing providers, iwi and Māori organisations, local government and social services to connect people who are homeless and living rough.
The groups are also assisting with food parcels, hygiene packs and sometimes providing the people with phones so they can communicate with them during the lockdown.
Dr Woods says more people who have been living rough are now coming forward for help.
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