Budget 2023 will deliver 3,000 more public housing homes to provide long-term secure housing to those most in need, Housing Minister, Megan Woods said today.
“We have been building more public and transitional housing than any Government in decades, and we are not slowing down,” Dr Woods said.
“So far this Government has delivered 11,830 more public homes, and 4,131 transitional homes, as we’ve rebuilt the public housing sector following its decimation by National.”
Right now there are over 4,500 public housing places under construction, many of which will be delivered by June 2024, she said.
The Minister said the Government’s Public Housing Plan will be updated in the coming weeks to show where the additional housing will be focused. It will be delivered by Kāinga Ora and Community Housing Providers including Māori and iwi partners.
Funding has also been earmarked for 80 more rangatahi-focused youth transitional housing places.
The investment also extends the Local Innovation and Partnership Fund and will go to work supporting more community-focussed projects that respond to and prevent homelessness, said Associate Housing Minister, Marama Davidson.
“Everyone should have a safe, secure, and stable home to call their own – but right now thousands of whānau do not have a permanent place to live. We are changing that by investing in locally driven solutions that work,” Ms Davidson said.
“Thanks to decisions made in Budget 2022 and previous initiatives, we were already on track to create an additional 200 rangatahi-focused youth transitional housing places by 2024. Today, I can confirm that the release of these funds will add at least another 80 places.”
Māori housing supply, capability building and repairs were also address in today’s budget, with funding announced for an additional 322 homes as part of the Whai Kāinga Whai Oranga programme.
“This builds on our push to house Māori, when through Budget 2021 we made the largest investment ever made into Māori housing supply of $730 million in funding,” Minister Willie Jackson said.
“I’m proud to say that of the target to deliver 1,000 homes, enable 2,700 infrastructure sites and repair 700 homes, we have approved or contracted, 1,018 homes, enabled 1,615 infrastructure sites, and made 415 repairs for Māori communities across the motu so far.”
He said Māori communities were also particularly affected by the recent extreme weather events that damaged a significant number of homes, displaced people, and isolated entire communities.
“To support the recovery of these communities, 400 relocatable cabins will be delivered to Te Tairāwhiti, Wairoa, Napier-Hastings and Te Taitokerau to assist those whānau displaced from their homes,” Mr Jackson said.
“Over the past five and a half years this Government has laid the groundwork for massive housing system change, unlocked land, and invested heavily in infrastructure like pipes and roads to enable more new housing. Budget 2023 continues the pace towards turning the housing crisis around and delivering more housing,” Minister Woods said.
