Community Housing Providers Welcome Government Funding To Keep Vulnerable People Housed

Wednesday, 29 April 2020, 1:01 pm
Press Release: Community Housing Aotearoa

Community housing providers are welcoming the Government’s funding boost for homelessness as a key part of an affordable housing-led economic recovery.

“Providing permanent homes that people can afford is the right thing to focus on as New Zealand restarts the economy,” says Scott Figenshow, Chief Executive of Community Housing Aotearoa (CHA), the sector’s umbrella organisation.

He was commenting on the Government’s announcement of $107.6 million to house vulnerable people during and beyond the Covid-19 pandemic (https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/keeping-vulnerable-people-housed). Housing Minister Megan Woods says the funding package will enable people to stay housed until more long-term homes are secured.

Mr Figenshow says community housing providers have emphasised the need to ensure people who have been housed during the Covid-19 lockdown are not allowed to slip back into homelessness.

“We’re glad that message has been heard and the Government is increasing the country’s response to homelessness. Having a good home that’s safe, warm and affordable is a fundamental human right, and we really commend the Government for this step.

“The message from the community housing sector is to keep going. There’s a real opportunity here for the Government to develop an economy recovery based on affordable housing. As a country we need to stimulate solutions that provide us with good homes and neighbourhoods, both through the community housing sector as well as through its agency, Kāinga Ora.”

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Community Housing Aotearoa

Nga Wharerau o Aotearoa

Community Housing Aotearoa is the peak body for New Zealand's community housing sector. Our 110 members build and manage affordable and social housing.

Our Vision is to make sure every New Zealander is well-housed in a warm, safe, dry and affordable home. This is a basic human right.

We work to support the growth and development of community housing providers to enable them to provide affordable and social housing.

We want to demonstrate that community housing is a critical element alongside private and government owned housing. No one can do it alone.

Community Housing Aotearoa aims to:

1. be the voice of the community housing sector
2. build capacity and foster collaboration
3. promote best practice in housing policy
4. champion quality and excellence.

Contact Community Housing Aotearoa

• Website - communityhousing.org.nz/
• Our Place - Learn how we think this can be achieved
• Phone - +64 4 385 8722
• About us - Our 2021 annual report is online here
• Email - support@communityhousing.org.nz
• Link - Members directory
• Physical Address - Level 11, Ranchhod Tower, 39 The Terrace/102-112 Lambton Quay, Wellington