The Government will spend an additional $7.45 million on housing in Northland, East Cape and Eastern Bay of Plenty.
Housing Minister Mark Gosche said the money would be targeted at substandard housing in those areas.
"Northland, East Cape and Eastern Bay of Plenty all have real housing needs. These initiatives are the
result of the Government working with the local community to help meet those needs," he said in a statement.
The plan includes:
* Increasing the number of suspensory loans available for essential repairs to run-down homes ($5.7 million over three years);
* A four-year pilot programme to help community-based housing groups devise and deliver home improvement services ($1.4 million over four years); and
* 30,000 extra smoke alarms for at risk houses ($350,000 this financial year).
Mr Gosche said that in addition to the funding, Housing New Zealand intended to double the number of houses it was planning to acquire in the three areas.
That would mean a total this year of 176 -- an increase of 78 state houses in Northland and 98 in the East Cape/Eastern Bay of Plenty.
"The Government is also working on longer term solutions to the problems facing these areas," Mr Gosche said.
"We recognise that a solution to housing issues cannot be determined in isolation from the other challenges faced by those living in impoverished communities -- including access to employment, quality schooling, health and other social services."
- NZPA
