Northland to get 180 new homes under Government's Public Housing Plan

Housing Minister Phil Twyford says under the Government's comprehensive Public Housing Plan, another 180 homes will be built for needy families in Northland.

Up to 180 more Northland families will have warm, dry, and secure new homes after the Government announced a major housing plan for the next four years.

Housing Minister Phil Twyford said under the Government's comprehensive Public Housing Plan, released on Friday, more than 6000 new homes would be built over that time, including 180 in Northland.

"The Government's fully funded Public Housing Plan will build 6400 new homes for families in need," Twyford said.

"The national housing crisis has hurt too many New Zealanders; from those locked out of the Kiwi dream of home ownership, to those left homeless and those suffering the health effects of poor-quality housing.

"The single most important thing the Government can do to solve the housing crisis is to build more affordable homes, and the best way to tackle homelessness is to build more public housing. We're making a great start in Northland with concrete plans for 110 more public housing places."

This would swell to 180 through other providers.

''On top of this, the Ministry of Social Development will be partnering with community housing providers, developers, Housing New Zealand, councils and others to build around 70 additional homes,'' Twyford said.

In Northland, there were currently 2041 public housing places, giving families and individuals warm, dry, and safe homes, for as long as they needed, he said.

"Public housing is an essential part of helping families and vulnerable people with one of their most basic needs, housing,'' Twyford said.

"It will take bold action to fix the housing crisis created over the past decade and the Public Housing Plan is another step in the right direction. Demand for housing changes all the time, and we'll constantly monitor what's needed and will continue to invest in places where New Zealanders need public housing the most."

The greatest current demand for public housing in Northland is for one- and two-bedroom homes. Whangarei has the largest demand for public housing.