Benefits of Maori housing effort start to show   30 Sep 2016

Hon Te Ururoa Flavell

Te Minita Whakawhanaketanga Maori

Minister for Maori Development

30 September 2016

Benefits of Maori housing effort start to show

Tangible results are starting to show from the Maori Housing Network effort launched just under 12 months ago, says Maori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell who will be speaking at the National Maori Housing Conference in Tauranga this afternoon.

“Hundreds of homes have been repaired and more affordable homes are being built under this effort and while this alone isn’t going to fix all the housing problems Maori face, it’s a good start.”

The Maori Housing Network is managed by Te Puni Kokiri and supports Maori housing projects with a focus on improving the quality of housing, particularly through community based repair projects, building the capability and capacity of Maori organisations involved in housing, and increasing the supply of affordable homes.

In its first year, the Maori Housing Network has funded:
· The repair of 243 whanau homes

· The building of 42 affordable housing units

· 32 capability projects

· 11 projects for ground support workers

· 35 papakainga workshops

· 116 infrastructure projects to allow for the building of new homes

· 5 emergency housing projects

· 7 housing workshops

· 79 whanau to access housing facilitation support

“Maori housing issues are intergenerational and complex so that’s why we are taking a Whanau Ora centred approach for whanau in need.”

While Mr Flavell is not responsible for the Kainga Whenua, another housing scheme for Maori which comes under Housing New Zealand, he has asked officials for advice on what changes could be made to improve it.

"We want this scheme to work for Maori - we want more Maori living in their own homes on their ancestral land. But we're mindful that changes alone to this scheme may not necessarily produce more houses for Maori as there are other factors at play such as income levels, qualifications and employment of the borrowers."

ENDS

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