New Zealand's government is broadening the scope of its Temporary Accommodation Assistance initiative, according to Louise Upston, the minister for social development and employment.
This move aims to offer relief to a larger segment of the population impacted by a series of destructive weather events throughout 2022 and 2023, including the Auckland floods, Cyclone Gabrielle, and the earlier flooding in the northern regions of the South Island.
Originally, the assistance was available under stricter eligibility requirements, leaving some affected homeowners without support.
“Funding had previously been set aside to help with this, but the eligibility criteria were quite narrow, and some homeowners missed out due to circumstances beyond their control,” Upston said.
The revised criteria now encompass individuals whose homes are no longer liveable, even if they have not been officially designated by council-issued placards. Additionally, it caters to those who faced barriers to securing insurance through no fault of their own and individuals residing in temporary accommodations previously not covered by the program, such as shared housing, rental cabins, and commercial lodgings.
The application window for the enhanced support opens on April 1. The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) encourages individuals who were either previously denied assistance or believed they did not qualify under the old criteria to reapply, as they may now be eligible.
“I've asked MSD to review the applications of people who have previously been declined support to see whether they may now be eligible,” Upston said. “We're not extending this support to the small number of people whose homes are solely held in trusts because the complexity of the legislative changes required would have taken significant time and prolonged hardship for those who do now qualify.”
The updated assistance program offers a weekly payment to homeowners dealing with the financial strain of dual accommodation expenses following their displacement by natural disasters. The specific amount of support is calculated based on the applicant's family situation and the location of their temporary housing.
Moreover, a one-time hardship payment is available for those who have been struggling to afford their temporary housing costs since Jan. 1, with an application deadline set for April 30. This measure aims to address financial challenges faced prior to eligibility under the revamped program, with applications still welcomed from individuals meeting the initial criteria.
The expansion of the Temporary Accommodation Assistance follows calls for significant government investment in flood defences.
