MP for Hamilton West Tama Potaka. Photo/Supplied
The number of Hamiltonians living in emergency housing motels has dropped “significantly”, but a Waikato organisation dedicated to improving the delivery of affordable homes, warns housing prices remain a “critical” concern for the whole region.
Hamilton West MP Tama Potaka in a press release, stated the number of households in emergency motels had dropped “dramatically” from 507 in December 2023, to 144 in November 2024.
“Over the same period, the number of tamariki in emergency housing has fallen from 516 to 165.”
He told the Waikato Herald that under the last Government, emergency housing became a “moral, social, and financial catastrophe”.
In November 2021 and “at its peak”, 4983 households nationwide, including thousands of kids were in emergency housing.
The Government “committed to returning emergency housing to a temporary short-term option” for those in need, and a target was set to reduce 75% of households in emergency housing by 2030, which they’ve already made “significant progress” in.
In Budget 24, the Government invested over $83 million to help people with emergency housing support services.
“These services such as case managers, housing brokers, and ready-to-rent courses, are having a positive impact by giving people in emergency housing the tools to move into better homes,” he said.
“In April [last year], we brought in our Priority One policy, a key election promise from National, which has played a significant role in reductions.”
The policy prioritises families with kids in emergency housing for 12 weeks or more, to all move into social homes.
The reduction represents “meaningful progress” due to the policy, meaning more families with children can access “stable” and “long-term” housing.
Since the induction of the policy, “147 households including 303 children in Hamilton have transitioned out of emergency housing motels and into better homes,” Potaka said.
It could mean “a world of difference” for kids, give them a stable upbringing, and improve health, school attendance, and community connections, which he said “is evident in the changing dynamics at Ulster St in Hamilton West and surrounds.”
Waikato Housing Initiative (WHI) trustee Thomas Gibbons, from the group mandated by the Waikato Mayoral Forum to facilitate the delivery of affordable homes, said that “housing affordability remains a critical issue”.
“Over the last few years, Hamilton has delivered on housing supply in terms of numbers, but hasn’t delivered enough affordable homes.
“Motels aren’t a sustainable solution for emergency housing, especially for families, and it’s very positive to see these numbers coming down.”
He said there have been many “negative community, social, and economic impacts” from the “widespread use” of emergency housing motels.
“Our families deserve better. A sustainable long-term approach is needed across the housing continuum, including in emergency housing.
“Suitable housing is a fundamental human right.”
He said WHI wants to see more research on the destinations of those leaving emergency housing, but Potaka said before coming into office, they knew where “50% of people were going.”
He said this Government was improving data, and he now knew about “80% of those leaving emergency housing” nationwide go into a form of social, transitional, or private housing due to support.
Data on the remaining people aren’t available as they don’t access Government housing anymore, or Ministry of Social Development support.
“Those in emergency housing shouldn’t be judged as incapable of navigating their own lives.”
He said it was important to balance the requirement to monitor their work, and the need to respect people’s right to privacy.
“People don’t have to tell us where they are going...”
Potaka said further initiatives would help address housing challenges for childless singles and couples.
This includes a new two-year trial with Emerge in Waikato, offering tailored support, budgeting help, healthcare enrolment, and tenancy advice helping participants transition into permanent homes.
In addition to emergency housing support, Kāinga Ora is working on new housing developments with currently 238 homes contracted or under construction, with completion expected by June this year.
A $35 million Government investment in partnership with Waikato-Tainui will also see 100 affordable rental homes delivered, north of Ngāruawāhia.
“Our Government is committed to ensuring everyone in Hamilton has access to appropriate housing,” he said.
“The progress we’ve seen so far is evidence of the effectiveness of our mahi, and we will continue to work hard to meet the needs of our community.”
Malisha Kumar is a multimedia journalist based in Hamilton. She joined the Waikato Herald in 2023 after working for Radio 1XX in Whakatāne.