While in hospital, the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) told her she could either go to a rest home or to emergency accommodation at the Christchurch YWCA, Coxhill said. Social housing rent would be about $115, or about 25 per cent of her weekly income of $481.45, made up of New Zealand Superannuation, an accommodation supplement and a disability allowance. "However, the supply of suitable housing is short across the country and for many people this can mean they have to wait until a suitable home becomes available." She first applied for social housing with support from her GP in 2014 but was turned down as she was working as a carer and did not meet the income requirements. ALDEN WILLIAMS/STUFF Coxhill hopes to get social housing as the private rental market is too expensive.

Source: Stuff January 08, 2020 16:16 UTC