2 Mar 2016

Auckland emergency housing plans revealed

11:50 am on 2 March 2016

The government has announced details of its plans to increase the supply of emergency housing in Auckland.

Last year $2 million was earmarked to provide an extra 120 emergency places a year for families and individuals.

The government announced the funding in September last year and had been criticised for taking too long to allocate the money.

Paula Bennett during caucus run 1.03.16

Paula Bennett says Emerge Aotearoa will provide new services. Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson

Social Housing Minister Paula Bennett now says the housing provider Emerge Aotearoa will provide 30 places for individuals or families, for a stay of up to 12 weeks.

She said the service would be in operation before winter, with 17 of the new places available from 14 March and the rest from mid-May.

Mrs Bennett said it would run for two years, and further announcements about a more long-term funding model for the emergency housing sector nationwide would be made in the next few months.

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