Funding boost for Horowhenua residents

The accommodation supplement will increase by more than double for some Horowhenua residents – making it easier for people to afford to live there.

From April 1, 2018, Levin and Shannon residents with a family of three or more could get $85 more a week.

The accommodation supplement – a weekly payment that helps people with their rent, board or the cost of owning a home – was boosted in last week’s Budget, as part of a package easing the burden on families.

Shannon and Levin shifted into a different category, so people there get not only the increase others in places such as Palmerston North and Feilding will receive, but more.

Shannon resident, and mother of four, Elise Mitchell said the extra $85 would make a huge difference.

At the moment she received about $75, which went mostly toward food, she said.

‘‘I’m getting by, just. I’ve got help from my family and get little bits and pieces where I can.’’

Mitchell, who was homeless for a few weeks before moving into the Shannon home, said any increase in the supplement would be helpful as she never wanted to end up in that situation again.

Mitchell hoped she and her children could live in their ‘‘nice, warm house’’ for a long time without having frequent rent increases as the district grew.

John Murphy, who has epilepsy and is struggling to find a job, said he was worried increases in the accommodation supplement would encourage landlords to increase rent. Murphy has been living in a state house for two years, but if he had to move to a privately-owned house, he feared the rent would become unaffordable.

Shannon and Levin residents currently receiving a one-person supplement get up to $45. This will increase to $80.

Shannon and Levin were among the towns that had their accommodation supplement levels bumped up as accommodation becomes more expensive.

Horowhenua District Council said in a statement that state highway upgrades north of Wellington were driving growth in Horowhenua.