The Government has moved to replenish some of the fallen state housing stock in Hawke's Bay with an announcement that more than 300 "places" will be provided, housing more than 700 families a year.
Finer details as to where and when were not available late yesterday, but Minister of Social Housing Amy Adams said there would be "195 social housing places and 129 short-term transitional housing places".
More than 300 state housing units had been stripped from Hawke's Bay over the last five years in a range of removals and demolitions, contributing to homelessness and the housing problems in the region.
As Associate Minister Alfred Ngaro visited a newly-opened transitional housing place run by Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga in Hastings.
Ms Adams said: "We're on track to have the short-term transitional housing places available by the end of the year, and expect to see the new social housing places coming on board over the next three years."