City to get more government housing

Waikato will get several hundred more social homes and transitional housing places, and it’s welcome news for Hamilton’s mayor.

Yesterday morning, the Government revealed where it plans to build 8000 new public and transitional homes promised in the last budget.

Auckland will see almost half of the new transitional places and Waikato – mostly Hamilton – will gain between 540 and 640 new public homes and between 70 and 320 transitional places.

That’s great news for Hamilton Mayor

Paula Southgate,

who says people are sleeping in cars and living in motels.

‘‘There aren’t houses for everyone. We have hotels and motels in Hamilton hosting emergency housing, and we know there are huge waiting lists for any kind of home really.’’

Hamilton City Council has been aware of a huge problem around social housing and transitional housing for a long time, Southgate said, but she hadn’t expected this announcement.

While she’s yet to talk to Housing Minister Megan Woods about plans, she’s glad to see the Government recognises the pressure growth areas are under for affordable and social housing.

The exact location of the new houses is unknown. Southgate said the council has had previous talks with Ka¯ inga Ora and would like to be at the forefront of their planning.

‘‘Rather than they go away and decide where they are going to do the development and then come to us for consent, work with us, talk with us and see what we can come up with together.’’