May 10, 2017 2:00pm by David Farrar

Relocation grants working

A total of 303 families have been approved for the government-sponsored Relocation from Auckland Assistance grant.

And only five of those families changed their minds and returned to New Zealand’s most populated and busiest city.

So 98% have settled elsewhere.

Beneficiaries Paul and Patricia Robinson-Hill were homeless for two years living with friends and family in Mangere, and wanted a roof over their heads.

The Robinson-Hill’s, with their two school age sons, Rune, 10, and Hunter, 14, had never been to New Plymouth.

“We didn’t know anyone here, it was like going to another country,” Patricia said.

The family applied for the grant and were offered a three bedroom state house in Marfell, a suburb overlooking Port Taranaki.

“It was the first house we were offered, we could have said ‘No’ but it’s not much fun being homeless so we didn’t think twice,” she said.

The $5000 relocation assistance grant was used to pay for removal expenses, three nights temporary motel accommodation and daily expenses while the weekly rent of $116 is automatically taken out of the couple’s benefit.

Good on them for making the move.