Shaun Robinson, the foundation's chief executive, says any new investment is welcome in a sector that is short-staffed, underfunded and struggling to cope with growing demand.

But the new money announced by Finance Minister Grant Robertson on Thursday amounts to "small bikkies" compared to the scale of the challenges confronting mental health providers across the country, Robinson says. Read more

He is adamant.

We might want to blame COVID and the war in Ukraine for our economic woes, he says. But everyone (except successive Governments) knows Government support for those in most need is not up to the task.

"When you look at the rate that living costs have climbed compared to support, struggling families are now far worse off as living costs continue to spiral out of control."

Tellingly, the NZ wait register for social housing has climbed to over 30,000 this year. Four years ago it was 5,500, he says.

The Budget hasn't addressed the problem either.

Yes, there's $27 a week (to a total of $350) for people earning less than $70,000 per year. But - that boost isn't for people on Winter Energy Payments. They're excluded.

That means people on core benefits who need that help the most won't qualify, Smith says.

Meantime, they're stressing about how they are going to put food on the table and get warm clothes and blankets to stop their children from catching the winter flu.

Research shows while household entitlements have increased in recent years, recipients continue to play catch up.

The reason: entitlements are never indexed against the cost of living increases.

Over the years their worth erodes, driving families deeper into an endless cycle of poverty and housing insecurity.

To illustrate his point, Smith says when the Social Security Act 1938 was passed, it offered ten income support benefits to give every New Zealander the right to a reasonable standard of living.

The Government firmly believed it was everyone's responsibility to ensure all New Zealanders were safeguarded from poverty and circumstances beyond their control.

"The Act removed the Government's classification of people as ‘worthy' or ‘unworthy poor', but people still think strongly about those on the benefit in a negative way," Smith says.

People who are forced into poverty through injury, illness or acts outside their control are not criticised for accessing welfare.

But long-term welfare beneficiaries often are - you will receive a mixed response varying from encouragement to insult, Smith says.

"Sadly, our country values some individuals more than others. We clearly, more often than not, value those who are in employment more than those who are not employed."

But every New Zealander, regardless of their employment status or income, is a valuable member of our community, Smith says.

So why do we disrespect tens of thousands of them by taking away their dignity and creating in them a sense of shame and hopelessness?

"We should be trying to identify a bright, dignified future of self-sustainability, where they can feel a sense of pride and a place in our communities, where every man, woman and child not only feels welcome, but is offered a long-term dry, warm, secure and affordable home with a liveable household income."

Source

• Supplied Monte Cecilia Trust

In a statement, the spokesperson for the Commission, Ms Loraine Elliott acknowledges some of the worst economic times for New Zealanders in many years and is commending the government's efforts.

Elliott is pleased that Budget 2022 is looking to address school attendance issues by supporting initiatives that work for local communities to deal with engagement and attendance.

"This is particularly helpful for Maori and Pasifika communities that have suffered badly from the 2014 withdrawal of funding that would have helped schools to address this," she says.

However, Elliott says there are areas where the Commission believes much more could have been done, particularly in the area of child poverty.

Housing

Elliott said that stable, affordable, warm and dry housing is a fundamental necessity for the well-being of all people in NZ, especially children. She says that despite various initiatives in recent years the Government has not faced the housing crisis head-on.

As of 31 March 2022, there were 26,865 households waiting on the Housing Register; an increase of 13.4% since March 2021.

She says that while the Government is building the greatest number of public housing units of any government for many years, the Register list is not reducing.

While acknowledging some of the measures announced today sound positive, actual delivery is key.

"More information is needed about how they will assist people to purchase their own homes," says the Commission.

The Commission points to inflation and interest rate increases as compounding the problem of homeownership; particularly for first home buyers.

Family and child poverty

The Commission acknowledges the temporary $350 cost-of-living grant for people earning less than $70 000 per year, but is stunned that there is almost nothing to help society's most vulnerable or to help alleviate child and family poverty.

The Commission says New Zealand's most vulnerable families have suffered decades of intergenerational poverty and it is very disappointed that yet again these Kiwis have been ignored.

"It would have been helpful if this initiative had continued this year to enable many families to support themselves with dignity, particularly as costs have increased so much recently.

"The silence of Budget 2022 on this is astounding," she said.

Climate change

The Commission welcomes the Government's support to reduce transport emissions by improving access to public transport, by extending the 50% reduction in fares, and through a vehicle replacement scheme for low-income households.

It supports the emissions reduction plan signalling the beginning of long-term carbon budgets but warns it needs to include agricultural emissions as well.

"We also commend the continuation of the Warmer Kiwi Homes initiative which helps fund heating and insulation upgrades for low-income households," says Elliott.

It made the comments in its submission to the Finance and Expenditure Committee about the Budget Policy Statement 2022.

Inequality has increased during the Covid crisis and both short-term and long-term measures are required to deal with this, Caritas said.

Listening to local and most-affected communities would help, Caritas suggests. This way the Government will be better informed to tackle ongoing crises.

Its submission spells out five specific concerns for the Government to consider.

Housing

Unaffordable, unavailable housing is an issue numerous support agencies are anxious about.

The cost of living is scarily high. Rental prices have surged yet again to an average of $575 a week. That's an increase of 7 per cent on last year. If you're living in Porirua, you'll be spending an average of $670 a week.

"The rent increases are huge and it's having a real impact on whanau, their ability to provide the necessities," says Porirua's Salvation Army Nicki Dutton.

"Lots of people are staying with friends or staying in cars, a lot of overcrowding. I've heard recently of a family of 13, extended whanau in a three-bedroom house."

Caritas says access to a wide range of safe, affordable and healthy homes remains one of New Zealand's most pressing social issues. It's a concern that is affecting people across the country.

It would like to see a broader approach to accommodation being taken: including it "in the objectives relating to physical and mental wellbeing, and the just transition."

Environmental support

Caritas says increased climate funding to address the climate emergency needs to be accountable to taxpayers and communities most in need.

"Assessment of impact needs to be based on criteria relevant to local communities," says Caritas.

"We support directing proceeds from the Emissions Trading Scheme to the new Climate Emergency Response Fund (CERF), and look forward to seeing clear directives, funding criteria for projects and evaluation of impact towards New Zealand's climate response."

Health and COVID-related funding

Caritas submitted that the government needs to prioritise appropriate funding and relevant data for Maori, Pasifika, the elderly, people with disabilities and those with underlying health conditions.

The health system's overhaul needs to take sufficient account of subsidiarity - that decisions be made at the most appropriate level to ensure responsiveness and accountability to local communities.

Technology

Caritas welcomes new technologies and greater digital connectivity to provide jobs and more sustainable ways of working.

Technology and the economy must serve the common good of humanity, the Agency cautioned. "Nothing can replace face to face encounters and the need for genuine human connection and interaction."

It recommends an "integrated approach to providing services" to allow "full participation in ways appropriate to different people."

Te Ao Maori

"We support inclusion of Te Ao Maori perspectives with the Living Standards Framework as applicable to the wellbeing of all ... and which also supports a long-term intergenerational approach to wellbeing," Caritas wrote.

Source

• NewsHub
• Supplied: Caritas Submission on Budget Policy Statement 2022