Transitional, Emergency is Welcome News

Christchurch City Council Housing Taskforce Chair Glenn Livingstone says that Minister Paula Bennett's announcement (March 15) of a short-term housing response for vulnerable families and single people in need of housing is welcome news.

"The government is recognising the housing pressures that exist in Christchurch. Rents have increased 47% following the earthquakes and intervention through increasing the supply of housing, including emergency, transitional housing, is an immediate and ongoing need," Cr. Livingstone says.

The red-zoning of 7000 houses, residents vacating homes while under repair or re-build, along with an influx of workers for the Christchurch rebuild have placed extreme pressure on the housing market in Christchurch.

"The Housing Committee pushed for transitional, emergency housing last year and it is encouraging that the government has heard that," Livingstone says.

Community, Housing and Economic committee Chair, Cr. Andrew Turner, says that "The Council remains committed to working with the government through this initiative, it's social housing memorandum of understanding with Housing New Zealand, the proposed emergency, transitional housing partnership with the City Mission and the Housing Accord."

"It is important that both the Council and the Government maintain the momentum of housing provision as part of the recovery of Christchurch", Cr. Turner says.

ENDS

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