Photo: GettyWhile the Ministry of Social Development is adamant it does have "emergency housing available" in Queenstown-Lakes, that claim is being disputed locally. Last week, Queenstown mayor Glyn Lewers told Mountain Scene there was no emergency housing in the area — something the ministry denies. In a statement, MSD Southern regional commissioner Steph Voight says not only is emergency housing available there, but "emergency housing special needs grants" are paid to those who meet eligibility criteria and are subject to an income and asset test. Emergency housing, MSD says, is typically short-term solutions in motels, backpackers or boarding houses. "The government does not have emergency housing in this district.’’She says while emergency housing is available as a safe house for those fleeing a domestic violence situation, that’s "very short term" and "very different" to housing people living and working in the district.

Source: Otago Daily Times April 07, 2023 08:29 UTC