Government to stop paying social housing tenants to leave Auckland

Government axing Auckland relocation grant, says it just shifted the problems elsewhere

Property

Government axing Auckland relocation grant, says it just shifted the problems elsewhere

18th Dec 17, 5:13pm by Greg Ninness

The controversial Auckland relocation grant which paid people to move out of Auckland, is to be scrapped.

The grant was introduced by the previous National-led Government and offered cash to people who were either living in, or eligible for social housing in Auckland, to move to another part of the country.

They could receive up to $5000 towards their relocation expenses and a lump sum payment of $2000 if they moved into social housing in a new location, or $3000 if they moved into private rental accommodation at a new location.

The move was supposed to ease pressure on social housing in Auckland. But Housing Minister Phil Twyford says all it had done is shift the problem elsewhere.

"Since the Relocation from Auckland Assistance was introduced in June 2016, there has been an across the board increase in the demand for public and private housing, especially in regions and towns close to Auckland," Twyford said.

"This initiative was just shifting the housing problem.

"It no longer makes sense to support families' move to areas where demand is already high."

Twyford said the Ministry of Social Development would no longer accept applications for the grant after January 15 next year.

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16 Comments

by PKchew | 18th Dec 17, 5:25pm 1513571108

Yes not a "Think Big" idea!!!

by Boatman | 18th Dec 17, 9:16pm 1513584969

It was a knee-jerk reaction to having to put them up in motels .

This is the unpleasant reality to living in Auckland ............... our kids , no matter how skilled they are cannot afford to live in Auckland.

Quite simply if its too expensive for young engineers , lawyers and accountants to live in Auckland , then its simply way too expensive for taxpayer funded people on welfare to be living in Auckland .

This is the mess we now have on our plate

by HeavyG | 19th Dec 17, 6:40am 1513618801

The lawyers and engineers cannot afford to live in Auckland because WINZ is paying rent for beneficiaries to live there. Decrease demand and therefore rents by moving beneficiaries to small towns and save the taxpayers some money at the same time.

by Ocelot | 19th Dec 17, 3:22pm 1513650123

Decreasing the accommodation supplement would help to solve it. Bringing in land tax would also solve it.

by Ex Expat | 19th Dec 17, 7:05am 1513620321

I had my pre Christmas hair cut last week in a central Auckland Barber shop. The barber looked about late 20s with the usual tattoos. When we had the usual talk about the upcoming break he told me he’d just bought a house and would be putting a roof on his deck. Given he charges $25 for about 20 minutes of work it’s not as if his manxium potential income is high, yet he’d managed it. Who knows, he may have had help, won lotto etc, but whatever the case he’s happy.

by meh | 19th Dec 17, 6:43pm 1513662237

$75 per hour isn't a high potential income?

by Nzdan | 20th Dec 17, 2:02pm 1513731768

Before tax, building lease, rates, insurance, power, phone/eftpos etc

by Northland Hippy | 19th Dec 17, 7:41am 1513622480

The problems haven't changed because population growth hasn't changed.

by Squishy | 19th Dec 17, 8:09am 1513624169

I'd imagine moving unemployed people away from centres of employment likely didn't aid them in finding employment either. If only we could marry-up using unemployed people to build houses we'd almost take a step towards being a better society.

by mlpc | 19th Dec 17, 10:20am 1513632000

This is just another example of the CoL absolving people from the responsibility of helping themselves.

by bilbo | 19th Dec 17, 12:24pm 1513639443

This really ruffles my feathers: https://www.workingforfamilies.govt.nz/tax-credits/payment-table.html

Why didn't the National Party get rid of it?

Six kids, no income, $414 per week.
One kid, one parent working on $75k, working your guts out. $0 per week. Plus, we'll tax you $301 a week to pay for that person with six kids. What a joke!

by RickStrauss | 19th Dec 17, 1:20pm 1513642826

National had no plans to get rid of it. They increasing it if put back in power.

by dollar_bill | 19th Dec 17, 3:18pm 1513649893

yep - no idea - probably voted for them too - leverage up - buy a rental - get on the gravy train mate

by TainuiBabe | 19th Dec 17, 6:34pm 1513661656

I wouldn't be envious of any person who has 6 children and takes a welfare payment of just $414 a week! Why would you be upset about that level of poverty compared to earning $75k a year and having pride in supporting yourself without taking a social welfare benefit? Working beats a benefit every time! So there is no need for you to feel a little insecure about someone else who for whatever reason, stays in the poverty trap. Hopefully they will find a way to climb out of their situation and better themselves.

by Tui12 | 20th Dec 17, 1:48pm 1513730926

I always laugh at these "how absurdly unfair that they receive the benefit" comments from people that have never had even the slightest personal exposure to something like that.

You would like to trade places with them would you?

by Retired-Poppy | 20th Dec 17, 2:19pm 1513732792

Benefits are intended to maintain the necessities of life - thats all. It does not make the (honest recipient) rich. It's a struggle. Nope, I wouldn't trade places, especially when considering all the obligations that have to be met to keep receiving it.

Talk about sacrificing one's financial independence and a lot people don't have any choice.