Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Licence needed for work use Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

Housing New Zealand Reforms Hurting Those Most In Need.

Monte Cecilia Housing Trust is dismayed at the negative impact of Housing New Zealand reforms.

Recent changes by Housing New Zealand are increasing the numbers of vulnerable families trapped in overcrowded, unhealthy, substandard housing. “At Monte Cecilia Housing Trust more and more desperate families are telling us that they have been turned away by Housing New Zealand because they are not eligible for housing,” says David Zussman, Trust Executive.

These families cannot afford housing in the private sector and have no other option but to remain in shocking living conditions. They are approaching the Trust saying “Housing New Zealand won’t help us. Where do we go and what are we meant to do?” Recent cases include a mother and child sleeping in a car who were told by Housing New Zealand that they could afford the private sector. “I think most New Zealanders would expect a homeless family like this to receive some meaningful kind of assistance and support from a government agency,” comments David Zussman.

Housing New Zealand have stated that they are concentrating on those in most serious need – they have redefined the criteria and stopped helping anyone who is outside of these. This is creating a massive gap in services which the government is doing nothing to address. “There are no joined-up government services here and it looks as if the situation is only going to get worse, ” states David Zussman.

*******

ENDS

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

Featured News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.