March 07, 2024
Crack down on emergency housing grants
The Government is cracking down on whānau seeking emergency accommodation grants.
Under a new policy announced yesterday, whānau with tamariki in emergency accommodation for more than 12 weeks will be given priority for social housing.
Social Development Minister Louise Upston says there will also be greater scrutiny of those seeking help, and ministry staff will assess whether people have unreasonably contributed to their immediate housing need – and whether they have taken independent steps to access other options.
“There are obligations that already exist for people to take every possible step they can to provide their own solutions. A front line person who’s got someone who is seeking a special needs emergency grant will give more consideration to what are the other alternatives. I’m encouraging them to do more of it – rather than just give a grant straight away, we want to slow that down,” she says.
Meanwhile, Associate Minister for Housing Tama Potaka has been put in charge of the housing-related functions of the Ministry for Social Development including emergency housing.
He says he can’t say with confidence whānau Māori with tāmariki won’t be made homeless under the new housing policy.
“No, not going to guarantee anything but I will guarantee they will work very hard with a number of provider and other to try to lift those kids out of motels and hotels and into proper homes,” Mr Poaka says.