- Hon Tama Potaka
Six months after the Government stepped up support for people sleeping rough, more New Zealanders are moving into stable housing across Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch, Associate Minister of Housing Tama Potaka says.
More than 500 additional households have now been housed through the Housing First programme, alongside over 280 rough-sleeping households supported into transitional housing.
"We are seeing fewer people tents in parks and doorways, fewer people sleeping rough in the cold, and more people moving into warm, stable housing," Mr Potaka says.
Outreach services and housing assistance centres are also helping people take the next step, with around 45 households each month moving out of rough sleeping and into temporary or permanent housing.
"Six months on, we're seeing the system working together and reaching people earlier, connecting them to support, and helping them stay housed."
The additional 300 social homes announced last year are now coming through, alongside $10 million supporting frontline services working directly with people sleeping rough.
"We are backing what works through practical support, trusted providers, and homes that give people a stable place to land and a pathway forward for them and their whānau.
"Our focus is clear, we need the right homes, in the right places, with the right support, so more people can move from rough sleeping and into a more stable future."
