If you were forced out of your earthquake-damaged home you are set to get financial assistance and help finding accommodation from the Government.
Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee this morning announced an assistance package for those displaced from their homes due to severe earthquake damage.
It includes financial assistance of up to $330 a week for families who have no insurance money and need to pay rent.
A “safety net” temporary accommodation service was also being set up for those who cannot secure rental properties while their homes are being repaired.
The temporary accommodation financial assistance is $180 a week for a one-person household, $275 a week for a two-person household and $330 a week for households of three or more people.
To qualify, homeowners must have exhausted any temporary accommodation allowance covered by their insurance.
They must be unable to live in their home while it is being repaired and intend to return once that work is complete.
Mr Brownlee said the assistance would not be subjected to any asset or means testing.
He said it was necessary to grant the assistance because of the scale and length of time it was expected to take to repair areas of Canterbury.
You can apply for the temporary accommodation financial assistance from Monday 21st Feb 2011
The Canterbury earthquake has been ranked as the fourth most costly earthquake in history.
As at 17 February EQC had received 181,107 claims – nearly 30 times more than the 6,224 lodged after the 2007 Gisborne quake.
The Earthquake Commission (EQC) has paid out $740 million to claimants to date.
Government has committed to funding at least $140 million of additional land treatment works to ensure there is less damage from a similar earthquake in future.
From Monday there will be four Canterbury Earthquake Temporary Accommodation Service offices at:
* Work and Income, 231 High Street, Christchurch
* Linwood Community Link, 154 Aldwins Road, Linwood, Christchurch
* Papanui Work and Income, 7 Winston Avenue, Papanui, Christchurch
* Waimakariri Earthquake Hub, 24 Sewell Street, Kaiapoi
A satellite service will also be provided for residents in the Selwyn district.
To view some questions and answers about this go to
http://rebuildchristchurch.co.nz/questions-and-answers-for-the-government-earthquake-housing-support
To view more detials or apply go to www.quakeaccommodation.govt.nz