More houses for homeless New Zealanders have been opened today in Tauranga by Associate Housing Minister Kris Faafoi.

Six two-bedroom quality units were opened at 878 Cameron Road by the Minister and Accessible Properties, a local community housing provider.

Accessible Properties now provides more than 1700 community housing places throughout New Zealand, with 1160 of those in the Bay of Plenty.

'Houses in the Bay of Plenty and up and down New Zealand are in short supply as demand for housing continues to exceed supply. This includes needing more transitional and public housing,” says Kris.

'More house becoming available in Tauranga will support more local people into warm, dry, and secure housing.”

He calls for New Zealanders to get behind efforts to ensure housing for all homeless New Zealanders.

'Today I welcome Accessible Properties latest contribution to deal with New Zealand's housing shortage, and I acknowledge all the individuals, organisations and communities who have stepped up to respond.

'There is a long way to go but our commitment is strong.”

Last year Housing First, which includes wrap around support, launched in Tauranga. It's led, locally, by the People's Project to house and support up to 100 people and whānau.

The Government is funding the rapid increase in the supply of public housing to establish 6400 places by June 2022.

In the 12 months from June 2018 to June 2019, Housing and Urban Development had delivered over 2178 public housing places.