9. AARON GILMORE (National) Link to this
to the Minister for Social Development and Employment
Has the Government made any recent announcements on the Canterbury Temporary Accommodation Assistance Payment?
Hon PAULA BENNETT (Minister for Social Development and Employment) Link to this
The Temporary Accommodation Assistance payment provides financial support to homeowners affected by the earthquake who have dual housing costs while their homes are being rebuilt or repaired. It is for those who cannot access cover through other means such as insurance. We recognised that there needed to be more flexibility around the end date to support those homeowners most affected, so we have made some changes. These changes will allow those eligible for the Temporary Accommodation Assistance payment to continue to receive support after the first Government deposit.
Given that excellent announcement, how can people apply for the Canterbury Temporary Accommodation Assistance payment?
Hon PAULA BENNETT Link to this
To apply, information can be found at the Canterbury Earthquake Temporary Accommodation Service website, which is www.quakeaccommodation.govt.nz. So far, for the House’s information, 195 homeowners have taken up the Temporary Accommodation Assistance payment with the average payment being around $280 per week, which is costing the Government about $55,000 a week in total.
Hon Lianne Dalziel Link to this
I seek leave to table a document, which is in fact three emails. The first one is the follow-up from the cross-party forum, where we asked for this change to be made. The second one is dated 19 August, asking whether there has been any progress on a reply to the inquiry. The third one is dated 30 August, saying that this is now urgent and we are getting increasing inquiries about this matter.
Mr SPEAKER