The Government has announced additional measures to prevent and reduce homelessness focused on ensuring at-risk individuals and whānau have access to stable housing and continue to stay housed.
Associate Minister of Housing, Kris Faafoi, and Minister of Social Development, Carmel Sepuloni, have announced $54 million in Government funding for initiatives which will support at-risk individuals and whānau to stay in their existing tenancies.
“Everyone in New Zealand should have a place to call home and the support they need to keep it,” said Associate Housing Minister Kris Faafoi. (Source: Other)
The funding will also provide additional wrap around services.
Strengthening ways to reduce homelessness and prevent it complements the Government’s existing investment in the Housing First Programme which supports people with multiple, high and complex needs who have been, or are already homeless.
“These initiatives are part of this Government’s pledge to end homelessness and improve the wellbeing of New Zealanders and their whānau through safe, warm, dry homes,” Minister Faafoi said.
“As part of our work on homelessness we are expanding the Sustaining Tenancies programme. It ensures that tenants who may be at-risk of losing their tenancy receive practical support to help them get back on track.
“That support includes budget advice, property maintenance, and mental health and addiction support, with the goal of helping people remain in their existing homes.
“Sustaining Tenancies is a key prevention initiative and we are keen to see it continue with the support of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development,” Minister Faafoi said.
“The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) will be giving targeted support for families with children and people with mental health needs who are living in emergency motel accommodation, or who are at high risk of homelessness, says Minister Sepuloni.
“MSD has identified a distinct group of people that face a range of complex issues that are a barrier to finding and keeping a home of their own, such as mental health and addictions, criminal history, or family violence.
“We will be supporting these people building their resilience and wellbeing, to break the cycle of homelessness through targeted on the ground support.
“The Government is investing $31 million over the next four years for 67 intensive case managers and navigators to work with these people and a further $16 million for increased social services,” Minister Sepuloni said.
Ministers Faafoi and Sepuloni described these Government initiatives as pragmatic steps towards ending homelessness in New Zealand, which will be taken in partnership with the wider sector.
“We are stepping in where we see an immediate need to support vulnerable people, while we develop a longer-term approach to see homelessness prevented, or at least rare, brief and non-recurring,” they said.
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