Emergency housing

A rule change earlier this year appears to have led to a sharp increase in the number of applications for emergency housing being declined.

The homeless accommodation was due to end next month but the government wants to stagger withdrawal of contracted emergency housing over another year.

The figures show a policy to move children out of "unsuitable dank motels" is working, minister claims.

The government is celebrating the decline, saying emergency housing is not safe for families to live long-term.

The social housing minister can't say whether the "1000 children no longer growing up in motels" have moved into social housing, a private rental, or are living elsewhere.

The Māori housing advocacy group is stressing the need for compassion and support for those facing housing insecurity.

The Ministry of Social Development is introducing tough new rules within days to cut down on the number of people using emergency housing.

Rotorua mayor Tania Tapsell has shared residents’ shock over plans to extend contracted emergency housing motels in the city despite election promises to end this within two years.

‘We've got to get over the stone throwing from this government to that government’