The National Government has cut $1 billion from the emergency housing budget on the false pretence that demand is reducing, while also ending contracted emergency housing from December this year.

“The Government promised New Zealanders that those in genuine need would get access to emergency housing but the Budget shows they simply have no intention of providing it,” Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said.

“The Government is trying to kid the country in to thinking that this is an area they can save money because the need isn’t there.

“It is a lie, borne out of the need to fill gaps in the Budget.

“Homelessness is increasing at unprecedented levels and frontline providers say things have never been so bad. Before this budget, homelessness had already grown by 40 percent in Wellington. Lord knows how high it is projected to grow, and how fast because of this budget.

“New Zealanders need to ask themselves a pretty simple question – do they trust the Government who need to make cuts to make their budget add up, or frontline providers who are seeing homelessness increase every day?

“Ending contracts without a clear alternative for where people will go is a disgrace. Housing is a human right.

“Make no mistake - families will be living on the street because of this decision today,” Kieran McAnulty said.