Tauranga families are set to benefit from the latest Government changes, which come into effect today.

The growing economy is giving households and businesses confidence, which has led to more jobs and higher wages, with the dividends being distributed to New Zealand families, says Tauranga MP Simon Bridges.

Tauranga MP Simon Bridges believes the new initiatives coming into effect today will benefit families in Tauranga.

Simon says families are set to benefit from raft of changes which includes changes to ACC levies for cars, extra funding for Pharmac and changes to rules around rental properties.

'All rental homes must have smoke alarms. This will affect 120,000 homes nationwide and is expected to save three lives a year, as well as reducing fire-related injuries and tens of millions of dollars in property damage.”

New insulation requirements for social housing also kick in from July 1 and on all other rentals from July 1, 2019.

This measure is expected to lead to 180,000 properties being insulated by 2019 and to save 129 lives a year, says Simon.

'More than 7500 Tauranga homes have already benefited from the Government's Warm Up New Zealand programme and are now properly insulated.”

Extra funding for Pharmac in Budget 2016, makes available new treatments for advanced melanoma, hepatitis C, and kidney disorders in children.

'Our Raising Healthy Kids target aims to get 95 per cent of children, who are identified as obese in our free B4 School health checks, referred to a health professional for support to improve their family's lifestyle through better nutrition and more physical activity, by 2017.”

Families should also have more money in their pocket with the average ACC levy for a private motor vehicles decreasing to about $130 per vehicle, which is down from $330 two years ago.

Simon says these initiatives built on a number of measures to help families that began in on April 1 – just three months ago.

They include paid parental leave increasing to 18 weeks and broadening the eligibility to better reflect modern workplace and family arrangements.

Also available from today are two initiatives to help some of New Zealand's most vulnerable people into emergency housing are available from today.

A special needs grant for emergency housing which does not have to be paid back was announced as part of a $41.1 million boost for emergency accommodation in this year's Budget.

'This is the first time any government has committed ongoing, dedicated funding for emergency housing, because we recognise that not everyone has access to a safe and stable home,” says Social Housing Minister Paula Bennett.

'During our review of emergency housing last year, it became apparent that vulnerable people were getting into debt to pay for accommodation when they needed it most. This was not right and we have fixed it.”

The new special needs grant will be available to people who need support with emergency housing costs and are unable to secure a place with an emergency housing provider.

'The grant is for up to seven days' accommodation. However, the time can be extended in exceptional circumstances. This is similar criteria as the previous, recoverable, grant,” says Paual.

Also today, the first contracts for fast-tracked funding for emergency housing providers have been put in place.

'I am pleased to announce that 14 existing providers will receive combined funding of $1.9 million for 337 places.”

Auckland providers will get funding for 153 existing places, Christchurch 101, Wellington 42 and Hamilton 17. The rest are split between Kaitaia, Whangarei and Whakatane.

'This funding will make a significant difference for providers, giving them the certainty of funding they need to keep making a difference in the lives of some of New Zealand's most vulnerable people,” says Paula.

A second tranche of applications for existing and new providers is still underway and is expected to be finalised by mid-August.

Around 3000 emergency housing places per year, 800 at any one time, will be funded across the country through the Budget 2016 allocation.

More information on the special needs grant for emergency housing can be found here: http://housing.msd.govt.nz/forms/factsheets/urgently-need-accommodation.html