Wellington’s first ever count of those sleeping rough on the streets found 15 people fitting this description in the city and suburbs on the morning of August 8
Rough sleepers were counted on every downtown city block and in known locations for such people in suburban areas.
Fifty volunteers helped in the count between 4am and 6am.
Counters were recruited from Te Aro, The Soup Kitchen, Wellington City Council, and community partners such as Regional Public Health, Night Shelter and the Downtown Community Ministry.
Each counter was partnered with a volunteer recruited from Rotary Club, Central Baptist Church and willing and able-bodied friends and family.
Wellington Police supported the planning and safety of the counters.
The street count is part of Wellington City Council’s project Te Mahana: Ending Homelessness in Wellington Strategy, whose ultimate aim is to end homelessness in Wellington by 2020.
The street count’s main goals are to connect homeless people to social services and also provide data, which will better prepare services to get resources to people who need them.