Homelessness in New Zealand is at an all-time high because the Government has shut people out of emergency housing.
“The gall of Tama Potaka to celebrate the housing crisis today is astounding when frontline providers and the Rotorua Lakes Council have reported a significant increase in rough sleeping in Rotorua,” Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said.
“Who is this bloke trying to kid? Everyone can see homelessness has increased. All he is celebrating today is shifting people from emergency housing to out the front of families’ homes and businesses.
“The Government has made an active decision to put people on the streets. Emergency housing grants are being declined at record rates, the Government are putting people on the streets to save face and save their bad budgeting.
“This is classic National. While people are in desperate need of housing, they have cut $1.5 billion from the housing budget instead of investing in building homes. It shows just how out of touch they are.
“Ministers claimed social housing would be the saving grace when they cut Kainga Ora budget, but they have bungled their own less than ambitious home build programme, with the number of houses available next year to be 177 less than when they took over.
“This is a farce, the Government needs to read the room and understand no one is buying their yarns,” Kieran McAnulty said.