The government’s appalling record in housing continues with the news that the government has bought a motel in Rotorua in order to house the homeless.

The Government has spent $8.1m to buy a motel in Rotorua for temporary housing.

But while the deputy mayor backs the step by officialdom from paying motieliers to house emergency housing cases to becoming a landlord itself, it has been slammed by local National MP Todd McClay.

Kainga Ora announced the purchase on Wednesday saying the 30 unit property would provide over 80 people with temporary housing.

The agency said the 0.66 hectare site would also offer longer term redevelopment potential for “new warm, dry and healthy public housing in Rotorua”.

The issue of motel use for homeless accommodation has proved contentious in the tourism hub, with claims Rotorua has become “a dumping ground for the country’s homeless”.

Some motel owners have also alleged underhand tactics by the Ministry of Social Development to get emergency accommodation clients into their properties.

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Whether or not the government owns the motel, the fact remains that this government is still housing people in motels.

But check out the glowing praise for the project from Kainga Ora:

Darren Toy, Kainga Ora Regional Director Bay of Plenty, said the purchase is good news for those in need of housing.

“Around 80 people and families, will soon have a warm, dry and safe place to stay, including fenced play area and green space, following upgrade work to convert this property.

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It’s still a motel you blithering idiot. Nothing has changed other than the ownership. Was this motel not warm and dry until the government owned it?

This government couldn’t build a house in a room full of Lego. Now they are literally playing Monopoly in real life buying up motels to house the poor.

gold ring on white paper
Photo by Joshua Hoehne. The BFD.

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