Major makeover for social housing 13 Apr 2014
New Zealand GovernmentMajor makeover for social housing
From tomorrow selected community groups will be able to offer income related rents for people needing social housing and people will be able to test their eligibility through Work and Income.
“We are growing low cost housing by partnering with dedicated community groups that are providing the properties. We are also expanding income related rent subsidies beyond Housing New Zealand,” says Social Development Minister Paula Bennett.
Mrs Bennett and Housing Minister Dr Nick Smith today visited new Community Housing Provider Vision West to view one of the West Auckland homes that will now be rented with an income related rent subsidy.
“We have more than 5,500 people on the state house waiting list nationwide, nearly 1,200 of whom are in West Auckland. While Housing New Zealand has more than 3,000 properties in that area, new community housing is needed to meet the growing demand,” said Mrs Bennett.
“We’re also making it easier for people to go through the whole process. From tomorrow the Ministry of Social Development’s Work and Income and Seniors services will do more comprehensive assessments of people’s social needs, with housing included alongside employment, income and other social services,” says Mrs Bennett.
MSD’s new housing responsibilities include assessment, tenancy reviews, managing social housing providers, the waiting list, fraud investigation and debt recovery.
“MSD will also carry out reviewable tenancies from 1 July 2014 of approximately 800 state house tenancies in the first year, that are paying market rent or close to it. Those who can move out and move on will be encouraged and supported to do so.
“Tenancy review does not mean eviction. Each review will be done with careful consideration and take into account each person’s circumstances and living standards. It is all about the right home, for the right household, for the right time.
Housing Minister Dr Nick Smith says Housing New Zealand and community housing providers will continue to be responsible for tenancy management; buying, selling and developing properties; and maintenance and management of properties.
“This reform is the product of the April 2010 Home and Housed: A Vision of Social Housing New Zealand report. It enables a greater diversity of social providers other than just Housing New Zealand and improves the housing options for families in need,” Dr Smith says.
“We are making great progress in growing New Zealand’s community housing sector with 32 organisations registered with the Community Housing Regulatory Authority. This new Authority’s role is to ensure providers have good tenancy services, quality homes and prudent financial management.
“The government’s goal is for 20 per cent of the country’s social housing to be provided by non-government organisations by 2017.
“A good affordable house is the cornerstone in any family and thanks to these reforms more New Zealanders will now have that opportunity.” says Mrs Bennett.
Ends
News
Hilary Timmins' Award-Winning UK Documentary Series To Inspire NZ Students
29 Jun 2020 Education
Dream Catchers, produced and directed by Hilary Timmins, celebrates the success stories of more than thirty inspirational New... more
New Zealand reaffirms support for Flight MH17 judicial process
7 Mar 2020 News
Ahead of the start of the criminal trial in the Netherlands on 9 March, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has reaffirmed the need to... more
Business
NZ Government's Economic package to fight COVID-19
17 Mar 2020 Business News
The Coalition Government has launched the most significant peace-time economic plan in modern New Zealand history to cushion the... more
NZ Government announces aviation relief package
19 Mar 2020 Business News
Transport Minister Phil Twyford today outlined the first tranche of the $600 million aviation sector relief package announced earlier... more
Living
Diversity was Key at New Zealand Trade Tasting in London
6 Jun 2022 Food & Wine
New Zealand Winegrowers Annual Trade Tasting was recently held in London, on Wednesday 4 May, in Lindley Hall.
It was the first... more
Kiwi author stuns Behind the Butterfly Gate
12 Jan 2022 Arts
Hidden behind the Butterfly Gate is where the secret has been kept for 76 years...
New Zealand writer Merryn Corcoran’s... more
Property
Fairer rules for tenants and landlords
17 Nov 2019 Property
17 NOVEMBER 2019
The Government has delivered on its promise to the over one million New Zealanders who now rent to make it fairer... more
New Zealand Government will not implement a Capital Gains Tax
17 Apr 2019 Property
The Coalition Government will not proceed with the Tax Working Group’s recommendation for a capital gains tax, Jacinda Ardern... more
Migration
Boosting border security with electronic travel authority – now over 500,000 issued
19 Nov 2019 Migration
19 NOVEMBER 2019
We’ve improved border security with the NZeTA, New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority, which helps us to... more
Christchurch reinstated as refugee settlement location
18 Aug 2018 Migration
18 AUGUST 2018
HON IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY
The announcement that Christchurch can once again be a settlement location for refugees... more
Travel
Gallipoli Anzac Day services cancelled
19 Mar 2020 Travel & Tourism
The New Zealand and Australian Governments have announced this year’s joint Anzac Day services at Gallipoli will be cancelled... more
New Zealanders advised not to travel overseas
19 Mar 2020 Travel & Tourism
New Zealanders advised not to travel overseas
more
Sport
The Skipper's Diary: Sir Richard Hadlee honouring his father and NZ's Forty-Niners
27 Oct 2019 Cricket
NZNewsUK London Editor Charlotte Everett spoke to Sir Richard Hadlee about why he’s chosen to publish his father’s... more
PREVIEW: All Blacks v England semi-final
26 Oct 2019 Rugby
The two most convincing quarterfinals winners are set to square off in a semifinal showdown for the ages when the All Blacks meet old... more
Columns
Gordon Campbell on the Gareth Morgan crusade
11 Nov 2016 Opinion
Gordon Campbell on the Gareth Morgan crusade
First published on Werewolf
The ghastly likes of Marine Le Pen in France and Geert ... more
Gordon Campbell on the US election outcome
10 Nov 2016 Opinion
Column - Gordon Campbell
Gordon Campbell on the US election outcome
Well um.. on the bright side, there (probably)... more
Kiwi Success
Congratulations to Loder Cup winner
26 Sep 2018 People
25 SEPTEMBER 2018
The Loder Cup, one of New Zealand’s oldest conservation awards, has been awarded to Robert McGowan for 2018... more
Appointments to New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO
16 Aug 2018 Appointments
16 AUGUST 2018Appointments to New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO
HON JENNY SALESA
Associate Education Minister Jenny Salesa is... more
Recruitment
Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers
14 Aug 2018 Recruitment
14 AUGUST 2018Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers
RT HON JACINDA ARDERN
HON CHRIS HIPKINS
Prime Minister
The... more
Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers
22 Aug 2018 Recruitment
14 AUGUST 2018Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers
RT HON JACINDA ARDERN
HON CHRIS HIPKINS
Prime Minister
The... more