$1 million housing fund to assist people in central Auckland

Nikki Kaye, National MP for Auckland Central, is delighted that Community of Refuge Trust (CORT) has been awarded funding to build new properties under the Housing Innovation Fund.

“This is good news for some of our most vulnerable people in the Auckland city area.” Ms Kaye says.
“National is focused on helping the community housing sector, and this funding means that local people will soon have a helping hand into accommodation.

“The Government changed the criteria for the fund last year to focus on new buildings rather than for the modernisation of existing buildings, helping even more people into affordable housing.”

The Community of Refuge Trust has been working for the past 25 years in the purchase and rental of low cost affordable housing. The majority of the tenants that the trust helps have mental health issues and their focus is on supporting people living in the community.

The $1 million funding grant for Community of Refuge Trust will assist the purchase of nine single bedroom units in central Auckland. The Trust provides housing for low income people who experience mental illness. With the assistance of ASB Community trust and other philanthropic groups the Community of Refuge Trust has been able to raise a further $1 million to make this project happen.

The National-led Government set aside $20m in last year’s budget for the fund. Of that funding, $15 million is available as part of a general fund, while up to $5 million is available for Maori Demonstration Partnerships.

“This year the funding was targeted at organisations which have shown a real commitment to helping people into affordable rental accommodation and home ownership, and I’d like to thank Community of Refuge Trust for their hard work and commitment,” Ms Kaye says.

“We are working hard to help provide quality accommodation to some of our most vulnerable people in central Auckland who really need it.”

ENDS

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