Locals will be encouraged by new figures showing a significant drop in the number of households relying on emergency housing motels.

Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka announced the milestone, highlighting the Government’s ongoing focus on reducing reliance on temporary housing solutions.

As of October 2024, the number of households in emergency housing motels has fallen to 993, marking a 68 percent reduction compared to December last year when the total stood at 3,141.

This reduction has also led to a sharp decline in spending, with October 2024’s figure of $10.76 million nearly a third of the $31.6 million spent in October 2023.

“The total number of households living in emergency housing motels has been reduced by 68 percent under our Government,” Mr Potaka said.

“National campaigned on a promise to deliver real change for people stuck in emergency housing, and we are delivering on that promise.”

Much of the progress is attributed to the Priority One policy introduced in April 2024.

This initiative prioritises families with children who have been in emergency housing for over 12 weeks, fast-tracking them into social housing.

So far, 786 households, including 1,608 children, have benefited from the policy.

To further address emergency housing needs, the Government is trialling a social outcomes contracting approach.

This two-year trial, in partnership with Emerge Aotearoa and the Wellington City Mission, will support up to 100 single people and couples without children who have been in emergency housing for over 12 months.

Eligible households, not already registered for other housing support, will be offered tailored assistance.

The trial will operate in Wellington and Hamilton, regions with high numbers of emergency housing cases.

As of October, 198 households were in emergency housing in Waikato, and 180 in Wellington.

The Government has also set a long-term goal of reducing emergency housing reliance by 75 percent by 2030.