30 June 2022
Media: NZME (Rotorua Daily Post and BOP Times)
Topic: Emergency housing providers
Enquiry
I am writing a story on emergency and transitional housing providers.
Some emergency housing providers in New Zealand are ''cowboys'' and only in it for the money.
That's the view of one iwi leader while another leader describes government funding in the sector as ''misery money'' and wants a lens put on organisations accommodating the homeless. I have comments from MSD and HUD who say reviews were held and contract providers are there to support residents. It says for example in Rotorua it has Te Pokapū the Rotorua Housing Hub which was an was an example of a Kaupapa Māori approach. I have a question for the mayor and my deadline is 12pm tomorrow thanks.
In your view does a lens need to be put on emergency and transitional housing providers and why?
Is the council involved with the Rotorua Housing Hub and how?
Response
From Deputy Mayor Dave Donaldson:
We have always said we want emergency and transitional housing in motels to be well managed with support services available, for the safety and support of both the people in the motels and the wider community. We know that those motels formally contracted to MHUD are well managed and have support in place but like the community, are concerned about many of the uncontracted places.
Council’s regulatory team is currently undertaking work to engage with all emergency and transitional housing providers in relation to compliance and this is about ensuring the safety of people and appropriateness of accommodation.
Te Pokapū Housing Hub was developed in response to recommendations from our Rotorua Housing Taskforce which includes Council, government agencies and iwi, to ensure appropriate placement of people. Council staff have a relationship with the hub through the taskforce and our Safe City Guardians, where appropriate, refer people in need there during the course of their work.