58756 (2025). Hon Jan Tinetti to the Minister for Child Poverty Reduction

58756 (2025). Hon Jan Tinetti to the Minister for Child Poverty Reduction: What specific measures, if any, is the Minister taking to ensure that families with children who are assessed as being at risk of imminent homelessness are proactively offered support to prevent them from ending up living in cars, garages, or other unsuitable situations?

Hon Louise Upston: I am advised by the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) that emergency housing (EH) remains available as a last resort for those in genuine need who are willing to abide by their EH responsibilities. MSD has put in place a plan for Rough Sleepers in targeted locations – i.e. Auckland, Waikato, Napier, Rotorua, Wellington and Canterbury. The objective of the plan is to reduce barriers rough sleepers may experience in accessing housing support, including assessments of eligibility for social, transitional and emergency. This plan builds on the existing co-location of services and EH Support Service funding for some of the key providers who do outreach with rough sleepers. Additionally, when Housing First Providers or Rough Sleepers come into strategically located Service Centres, we have the following in place: walk-in services, outreach support, dedicated staff, and clear referral processes in place. MSD has already connected with over 338 rough sleepers across those locations. Where people are experiencing housing hardship MSD can help them to sustain their current accommodation or identify a new place using Housing Support Products (e.g. bond, rent in advance grants and rent arrears grants. The Government has funded MSD’s emergency housing support services for two further years through Budget 2024, at a total cost of $83.477 million. Emergency housing support services help to prevent people from needing emergency housing, support people while in emergency housing, and support people to exit. On 30 April 2024, MSD implemented the Emergency Housing Fast Track for eligible applicants on the Social Housing Register. This ensures that families with dependent children in emergency housing for extended periods (12 weeks or more) are prioritised on the social housing waitlist.