Nobody in our community wants to see people sleeping in cars or unable to find permanent accommodation – that is not the New Zealand, or the Tauranga way. That’s why the Government has made an unprecedented $330 million investment in transitional housing and I have worked to ensure some of that is spent in our city.
Last month we announced that Housing New Zealand and the Ministry of Social Development are working together on a potential new housing development for the vacant land owned by Tauranga City Council at 45 Opal Drive in Papamoa. The site is currently vacant and has been designated for future use for affordable housing by the Tauranga City Council.
The homes would be modular in style, and would be constructed off-site and then transported to the location. Once the land was required again, the homes would be able to be easily relocated to other sites.
Accommodation supplement to lift for many in April
One of the most important aspects of this plan is that the homes would be managed by an on-site provider which would look after the tenancies and provide support to the people living there. The plan is to house local mums and children predominately who have found themselves needing housing.
It’s expected that families would stay in the homes for an average of 12 or more weeks, while they are helped to secure longer term accommodation. They’ll continue to receive support for a further three months once they move into more permanent housing, with National’s Families Incomes Package kicking in next April, materially lifting the accommodation supplement for many Bay families.
This social investment is important, it is the kiwi way, but it is only enabled through an economy providing jobs, opportunity and Government revenue for us to invest for social good.
By Todd Muller
MP for Bay of Plenty
“I write for this magazine because it’s a great way to get important information out into our community.”
Authorised by Todd Muller, 3/9 Domain Rd, Papamoa
