$1.2 billion on motels

NewstalkZB reports:

The Government has spent more than $1 billion on emergency housing grants since it came into office five years ago.

A large proportion of that money has been spent on housing people in need of accommodation in motels across the country.

Social Development Minister Carmel Sepuloni confirmed through answers to written Parliamentary questions that since December 2017, the Government’s spent $1.2 billion through the grants.

Senior National MP Chris Bishop said this is a grim milestone for the Government.  

“It’s a staggering sum of money and I think New Zealanders will be shocked at the scale of the spending on emergency housing.”  

Currently, there are roughly 4000 households living in emergency housing across New Zealand – many in motels.

Bishop said this is no way for families to be housed.

“What the Government is doing is paying millions and millions of dollars to motel owners, which is great for them; it’s a get rich quick scheme.

“But it’s absolutely terrible for people who are forced to live in these conditions.”

They should put a time limit on emergency housing. Say a maximum six months there.