Government celebrates ‘more than 1,000 children no longer growing up in motels’ – but can’t say where they went

Son of Potaka.
photo: RNZ/Samuel Rillstone

Social Housing Minister Tama Potaka on Sunday celebrated more than 1000 children “no longer growing up in motels” as part of the National-led Government’s efforts to reduce the number of people in emergency accommodation.

But neither his office nor the Department of Social Development could easily explain where those children were living now — whether their families had moved into social housing or found private rental accommodation — or if they had no housing options at all.

Despite a policy goal to prioritise the transfer of families with children from emergency to social housing, the government does not track where these children now live.

Emergency motels were set up to prevent children and families from living in cars and on the streets.

From the numbers

Overall, the number of households living in temporary accommodation – homeless housing – fell 32 per cent from 3141 to 2133 between December and June.

Of the 1008 households that moved out of temporary accommodation, the majority (50%) moved into social housing. 30% may have moved into private rented accommodation because they received accommodation subsidies from their work and income.

But the ministry does not know where the remaining 20 percent of families, or about 200 households, now live.

Furthermore, neither Potaka’s office nor the ministry could easily explain where the 1,000 children who left temporary accommodation with their families fit into this picture.

Why it matters

The UK government set out plans in March to “end” the use of emergency housing – another term for temporary accommodation.

One of the measures is the creation of a new “first priority” category for families with children who have been in emergency housing for twelve weeks or more.

The new category came into effect in April and prioritises social housing for eligible households.

“We know that children who live in emergency housing for long periods of time are most at risk of poor health and education,” Housing Minister Chris Bishop said at the time.

He also described the social cost of motel living as an “absolute tragedy”.

If the government does not actively track the whereabouts of children and their families who leave emergency accommodation, it cannot provide them with ongoing support.

Haehaetu Barrett, chief executive of Auckland social development organisation Lifewise, said families and young people often experienced trauma in emergency housing.

“In those environments, a lot can happen, and a lot has happened,” she explained.

People living in emergency accommodation reported seeing faeces and blood on the walls, while others spoke of crime and intimidation.

She said it was vital to provide these families with appropriate support once they left the homes, otherwise it would lead to further social ills.

“If we don’t get people into permanent housing, then this turnover is going to continue because they can’t connect to their community.”

She added that the lack of permanence also affected their education and the development of social skills.

“This is not just a housing issue. I’ve been talking about this for years. This is a cross-cutting issue.”

A Ministry of Social Development spokesman said the agency did not track where children went after leaving emergency accommodation but would be able to provide data under the Official Information Act within 20 working days.

A Potaka spokesperson said no further information could be provided.

– thing