The Government will task the Ministry of Social Development with increasing scrutiny on those seeking to access emergency housing, including assessing if people have "unreasonably contributed" to their need for emergency housing and whether they've made a reasonable effort to find other housing.
It will also leapfrog families with children to the top of the social housing list if they have been in emergency housing for longer than 12 weeks.
It's part of an effort the Housing Minister Chris Bishop said is the first step to ending the "large-scale use" of emergency housing.
Coaltion Government outlines scheme to move families with children quickly into social housing. (Source: 1News)
The issue had plagued the former Government, particularly in Rotorua, where conditions in the motels used for emergency housing raised concerns, as well as anti-social behaviour and crime surrounding them causing issues for nearby residents.
Today Bishop said the Government would establish a "Priority One" category for families with children in emergency housing, aimed at helping them move into social housing faster.
“Emergency housing is one of the biggest public policy failures in New Zealand history. Under the last government’s watch, thousands of children were consigned to grow up in motels."
He said the Government currently spent about $340 million per year for emergency housing places.
"That’s bad enough, but the social cost for families with kids living in these motels for months at a time is an absolute tragedy."
He said the new category meant families with dependent children in emergency housing for longer than 12 weeks would move to the top of the social housing waitlist, getting them into "stable housing" sooner.
The category will be introduced in April this year.
“This government inherited a huge emergency housing problem which grew from a few families using it for short periods of time into a situation where three thousand families are living in motels for months at a time.
Social Development Minister Louise Upston said as well as introducing the Priority One category the Government would also strengthen the verification processes for those entering emergency housing, reviewing eligibility settings, and introducing new obligations.
“The Ministry of Social Development staff assessing anyone applying for emergency housing will increase their scrutiny of whether they have unreasonably contributed to their immediate emergency housing need, whether they have taken reasonable efforts to access other housing options and whether they have previously paid their emergency housing contribution."
She said it would include escalating for further consideration by a manager on a case-by-case basis and making a grant for one to four days, as opposed to current options of seven to 21 days.
That was to enable further scrutiny before a grant was approved for a longer period, she said.
“Between now and August, we will be working to strengthen emergency housing verification processes, review eligibility settings, limit discretion and clarify an applicant’s responsibilities while in emergency housing. These changes will help ensure that emergency housing is only accessed where absolutely necessary.
"The Priority One category will apply to families with children who have been in emergency housing for twelve weeks or more, because we know that children in emergency housing for an extended period are most at risk of poor health and education outcomes.”
Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka said the Government would apply a "social investment lens" to the problem, which he said meant targeting support where people need it and looking at "innovative options like social bonds".
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