18296 (2025). Hon Kieran McAnulty to the Associate Minister of Housing

18296 (2025). Hon Kieran McAnulty to the Associate Minister of Housing: What guidance is provided to MSD staff about using campervans or caravans as a form of emergency housing, if any?

Hon Tama Potaka: I am advised by the Ministry of Social Development (the Ministry) on 6 November 2023, changes to the Special Needs Grants Programme came into effect, meaning that since that date MSD can only pay grants for clients to stay with EH suppliers who have opted in to supplier standards. I am further advised by the Ministry, that they have not had any supplier of emergency housing agree to their supplier standards, that offer campervans, caravans or similar mobile units as accommodation. EH suppliers can choose to opt into the standards; however, MSD expects that all suppliers providing emergency housing meet all legal requirements, including relevant building and safety requirements, regardless of opt-in status. On 6 November 2023, changes to the Emergency Housing Special Needs Grants Programme came into effect, meaning that since that date MSD can only pay grants for clients to stay with EH suppliers who have opted in to the standards, except in certain limited circumstances.