The Government's Public Housing Plan aims to provide 230 to 380 extra state houses and 20 to 80 transitional houses in Northland over the next four years.
The Government's Public Housing Plan aims to provide 230 to 380 extra state houses and 20 to 80 transitional houses in Northland over the next four years.
The Government's plans to provide more public housing in Northland has both underwhelmed and delighted the region's housing advocates and leaders.
On Thursday Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Housing Minister Megan Woods released the Government's Public Housing Plan, which identified where in the country it planned to build another 8000state and transition houses.
The social housing places - 6000 state houses and 2000 transitional places - were promised in last year's Budget.
Northland has been targeted as an area of focus, along with Hamilton, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Napier, Hastings, Palmerston North and Whanganui.
A Ministry of Housing and Urban Development spokesperson said the plan will provide 230 to 380 extra state houses and 20 to 80 transitional houses in the Northland region over the next four years.
"In Kaipara we are continuing our plans for additional public and transitional housing to be delivered over the next four years," the spokesperson said.
Whangārei mayor Sheryl Mai said the social housing plan was "a good start".
"If that's achievable in that time frame then let's grab it.
"If I were one of 160 families that get to move into a new home it would be a fabulous outcome. We know the problem is greater than that, but it's a good start.
"When we've got families living out of cars, we've got to collectively look at how we resolve these issues ... hopefully these homes will make a difference to those who are struggling to make ends meet."
Whangārei MP Emily Henderson was delighted to see Tai Tokerau named as a priority area.
Whangarei MP Emily Henderson is delighted Te Tai Tokerau has been named as a priority area. Photo / Tania Whyte
"We have significant issues in housing and a rapidly growing population. I'm thankful to see we'll be getting some of the new state houses.
"It's crucial for the wellbeing of our people. It's not going to fix the entire problem but it's a damn good start. Poor housing is at the root of so many problems we've got."
However, National Party deputy leader Whangārei list MP Shane Reti wasn't impressed with Northland's tally, and said 2024 is "a long way away".
"It doesn't seem like a large number for the whole of Northland, considering we're the fastest growing region.
"And it's a long way away. We know their ability to deliver housing is compromised anyway."
National Party deputy leader Dr Shane Reti said the number of social houses planned for Northland didn't sound significant. Photo / Tania Whyte
Solomon Group chief executive Lynette Donohoe, who has called for more emergency housing in the Far North, particularly for young mums, said the Government "wasn't addressing the immediate need".
"It's still not a magic bullet," she said.
"I don't think it's enough, and it's not addressing the immediate need which is emergency and transitional housing."
There are nearly 22,500 people now on the public housing waitlist around the country.
In Northland there are 852 people on the waiting list.
The Government has already identified Northland as one of six "hot spots" of high demand for poor housing.
Solomon Group chief executive Lynette Donohoe said the plan wasn't addressing the immediate need of emergency and transitional housing. Photo / file
The region has the highest rates of severe housing deprivation in the country, according to an independent report by University of Otago researchers.
National's Housing spokesperson Nicola Willis said housing has become more unaffordable than ever under Labour, and the public housing wait list has quadrupled over the last three years.
"This is the sad result of Labour's continued failure to get on top of our housing shortage.
"Despite promises to fix our housing shortage housing has become more unaffordable than ever under Labour with more and more Kiwis struggling to find a home."
In a nutshell
Whangārei: 160 state houses by 2024 and 15 transitional housing places by 2022.
Far North: 80 state houses by 2024 and no transitional houses.
