The Government is investing more in emergency housing in Auckland to address a major shortage.
Non-government organisations will receive an extra $2 million to provide more short-term accommodation for vulnerable New Zealanders.
Paula Bennett has announced a $2 million emergency housing boost. Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson
Social Housing Minister Paula Bennett said the Ministry of Social Development had very few emergency housing vacancies in Auckland at any time.
Ms Bennett said the government would work with non-governmental housing organisations in Auckland to provide the beds by the beginning of next year.
Tenants, she said, would be given support to move into sustainable, independent housing.
Ms Bennett said there were about 150 emergency housing beds in Auckland, which were at 99 percent capacity all of the time.
"The sector overall needs longer-term sustainability, there's ways in which we help people fund short term housing.
"So at the moment Work and Income often help people pay for motel beds, for emergency situations there are better ways we can do that. But this is something that needed to be done now."
She said the $2 million would be available for refurbishing existing properties, new builds and for other costs such as support services for tenants.
