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Improving the focus on supporting vulnerable New Zealanders’ individual needs has led to more people getting access to social housing, Social Housing Minister Paula Bennett says.

The June 2015 Social Housing Register quarterly figures, released today, show the number of applications on the register has decreased by 1,299 from the June 2014 quarter to 4,541 – a 22% decrease.

Tax provisions to ensure community housing providers can continue to offer housing support to New Zealanders will give the sector the certainty it needs to keep growing, Ministers Paula Bennett and Todd McClay say.

“Some community housing providers risk losing their charitable status by supporting people into home ownership,” Social Housing Minister Paula Bennett says.

“We are of the view these providers give invaluable service and as such we want to ensure they are not worse off financially,” Mrs Bennett says.

The pace of the Government’s rebuild and repair of social housing in Christchurch continues to progress at top gear, Social Housing Minister Paula Bennett says.

Housing New Zealand (HNZ) has now repaired more than 4,000 of its quake-damaged properties. With this achievement, HNZ enters the final phase of its earthquake recovery programme that will see up to 5,000 earthquake-damaged homes repaired by the end of 2015.

Law changes to help grow an innovative social housing sector and house more vulnerable New Zealanders passed into law today.

Social Housing Minister Paula Bennett says the Social Housing Reform (Flexible Purchasing and Remedial Matters) Bill is a crucial part of the Government’s reform programme to put tenants first and increase the supply of housing that suits their needs.

Putting tenants first and promoting housing independence is central to the Government’s continued investment in social housing, Social Housing Minister Paula Bennett says.

“Budget 2015 ensures the Government can take the next crucial steps to provide more social housing for those New Zealanders who most need it.

“Housing needs range from emergency and social housing right through to affordable housing and we are focused on helping people on that journey to housing independence where appropriate.

Tauranga and Invercargill have been selected as the first regions for the proposed transfer of Housing New Zealand Corporation (HNZC) houses to registered Community Housing Providers (CHPs), Ministers Bill English and Paula Bennett say.

Information about what social housing is needed and where has today been made available to housing providers for the first time says Social Housing Minister Paula Bennett.

“The Ministry of Social Development’s (MSD) Purchasing Intentions information release is the first of its kind, and marks a milestone in the Government’s Social Housing Reform Programme,” says Mrs Bennett.

Social Housing Minister Paula Bennett today announced details of the Government’s funding boost for emergency housing providers, and a comprehensive funding review of the sector.

“In January the Prime Minister announced Government plans to support the emergency housing sector with a $500,000 cash injection alongside a wider review of funding, as part of our Social Housing Reforms,” says Mrs Bennett.

Vulnerable families and single people in need of housing in Christchurch will be better supported by a new short-term housing service, says Social Housing Minister Paula Bennett.

The Government is working with two community housing providers, Comcare and VisionWest, who will provide short-term accommodation alongside support services for up to 30 households at a time.

Social Housing Minister Paula Bennett has expressed disappointment in a U-turn by Labour housing spokesperson Phil Twyford, who has been caught backtracking on commitments made to community housing providers last year.

“In 2014 Mr Twyford addressed a community housing conference, telling members he was committed to them having access to the income-related rent subsidy, capital grants and stock transfers.”

The opening of 19 new homes in Auckland today has been welcomed by Social Housing Minister Paula Bennett as an example of New Zealand’s growing social housing sector, which is seeing more people in need receiving housing support.  

Community of Refuge Trust’s (CORT) Mt Wellington development, built with a $3.2 million contribution from the Government’s Social Housing Fund, will see around 22 people on low-incomes supported into affordable and good quality housing.

The Government’s commitment to helping New Zealanders in need by providing more social housing is at the heart of its social housing reform programme, Ministers Bill English and Paula Bennett say.

Prime Minister John Key today confirmed increased funding for social houses, where tenants receive an income-related rent subsidy from the Government.

Social Housing Minister Paula Bennett today opened Accessible Properties’ new community housing development in Johnsonville, furthering the Government’s commitment to providing better social housing for those in need.

Accessible Properties are a Community Housing Provider who manage close to 1000 housing units across New Zealand. Today’s event celebrated the completion of eight new units designed for tenants with social support need, and built with assistance from the Government’s Social Housing Fund.

Social Housing Minister Paula Bennett is impressed with Housing New Zealand’s progress in building, redeveloping and repairing properties in Christchurch following a visit to the city today.   

Before 2011, Housing New Zealand (HNZ) had more than 6,000 properties in Christchurch, and 95 per cent of these were damaged in the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes.

“The scale of destruction resulted in large losses of homes in the region, skyrocketing demand and many families left in desperate situations,” says Mrs Bennett.

A significant milestone in the Government’s commitment to the Christchurch rebuild has been achieved, says Social Housing Minister Paula Bennett.

Today marks the half-way point in a comprehensive repair of earthquake-damaged Housing New Zealand (HNZ) properties, with the 2500^th home repair completed ahead of schedule.  

“HNZ has undertaken a large scale repair and rebuild programme that when completed by the end of 2015 will see 5000 damaged homes repaired and 700 new homes built,” Mrs Bennett says.