New Zealand to deliver emergency housing for 10,000 vulnerable people

Around 10,000 New Zealanders in need of warm and safe housing will be provided short-term accommodation at transitional places the government has secured ahead of winter, Social Housing Minister Amy Adams said on Thursday.

"With winter approaching, the demand for warm, safe housing will peak. We are focused on having a significant number of housing places available for those who need it," said Adams.

While the strong housing market in Auckland has made finding new places challenging, Adams said progress has been made to deliver 621 houses in the country's biggest city by winter, which will support nearly 2,500 Auckland families a year.

In 2016, New Zealand government set aside 354 million NZ dollars (240.7 million U.S. dollars) to secure 2,150 transitional houses nationwide, which will assist 8,600 families every year. This is the first time transitional housing has received ongoing, direct funding from the government.

"It's important that, during times of need, vulnerable New Zealanders have a warm, dry place to stay while they get back on their feet," she said.

Adams said the 8,600 transitional housing places are just one part of the plan to support New Zealanders in need of housing, from urgent shelter to long-term social housing, adding that efforts will be made to increase the number of social houses from 66,000 at present to 72,000 over the next three years.

People living in emergency housing are able to stay for an average of 12 weeks. They will also receive support for up to a further 12 weeks once they move into more sustainable accommodation. Endit