A new short-term housing service in Christchurch that can support up to 30 households at a time has been announced today.
Paula Bennett Photo: RNZ / Demelza Leslie
Social Housing Minister Paula Bennett said the Government was working with two community housing providers, Comcare and VisionWest, to provide the temporary accommodation for about eight weeks.
"We asked the community what they thought, this is what they came up with, we've put our money where our mouth is and backed this financially and working in a partnership alongside of them, we think that this is innovative and obviously we think it will work."
Paula Bennett said the service would focus on people who were living in garages, tents, cars or other insecure housing.
Comcare had already started providing help for up to 10 single people in properties across Christchurch, and VisionWest will begin providing services for up to 20 families at a leased motel complex.
Ms Bennett said providers would also work with families to help them move into longer-term housing.
The emergency measures were expected to be in place for two years.