So … suddenly now, after a two month lockdown whilst the world teeters on the edge of economic collapse & suicide stats skyrocket, the NZ corporation parading as a government is borrowing more millions because it suddenly cares about the homeless (having sold off, along with preceding corporations, a large chunk of our perfectly good state housing stock for a song to property developers & the like). Oh that’s right, it’s election year. This can by the way was kicked on down the road around 6 months into Labour’s current term. When last we mentioned this issue the count was at 43K homelessand rising. EWR
From radionz
Housing Minister Megan Woods announced the funding today, saying it would help vulnerable New Zealanders during and after the Covid-19 pandemic.
Some $31 million of the new funding would be spent on services to support those people’s needs.
“People living rough or in accommodation where social distancing was not possible were especially vulnerable to Covid-19,” she said.
“As of this weekend 876 units have vulnerable individuals and whānau living in them and they are being supported with social services.”
She said more than 1100 additional motel units had already been secured for people without housing by government agencies, community housing, iwi and Māori providers since the alert levels were put in place.
Dr Woods said the funding would ensure people continued to be housed for the longer term, with 1600 units being funded,
“Many of the people living in the motels have high and complex needs and it’s crucial they get support,” she said.
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https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/415165/government-announces-100m-for-housing-homeless