The $300 million would be spent on extra investment and increase support to prevent homelessness. Photo / Mark Mitchell
The $300 million would be spent on extra investment and increase support to prevent homelessness. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is teasing details of a $300 million spending package aimed at tackling homelessness and providing more transitional housing.
The announcement is likely to be focused on a strategy to get those in need into better emergency accommodation and moving away from the use of motels.
Ardernoutlined some details of the announcement at post-cab this afternoon, but her office would not elaborate on the specifics of the plan.
Speaking to reporters, however, she made it clear that the $300 million would be spent on extra investment and increase support to prevent homelessness.
She said the Government has been using motels and other "less efficient options" in order to make sure people had the shelter they needed.
More details will be made by Ministers on Thursday she said but did reveal the money would be spent on a range of "immediate and long term actions".
This will include the supply of transitional housing and expanding support for those currently in emergency accommodation, as well as those at risk of homelessness.
"We're continuing to step up our approach to homelessness because every New Zealander deserves a secure place to live."
In May last year, the Government announced details of an almost $200 spending package, aimed at getting 1000 homeless people into homes.
The money has allocated to the Housing First programme in a bid to "break the cycle for long-term homeless people by giving them a permanent, warm and safe home, and support services to help address the causes of homelessness," according to Ardern.
