To that end, accommodation for 13 is being fashioned from a once-derelict hall near central Masterton and is being transformed into "a haven of hope".

"My father was a Presbyterian minister. My mother was a Presbyterian minister's daughter. The motto of my life is, ‘What would Jesus do?'"

At 68, Tankersley is doing what Jesus would do, engaging in a massive community fundraising and work campaign that has helped bankroll the project.

About $175,000 has been raised so far.

Tradies are doing the physical work, but Tankersley, the homeless refuge's driving force, credits many friends and local businesses with ongoing support for the project.

While the refuge will house 13 people suffering what she describes as extreme homelessness, Tankersley estimates there are about 15-20 people in that category in the small Wairarapa town right now.

She is hopeful the nearly complete refuge will open before Christmas.

Refuge with a difference

The new accommodation is a refuge, not a shelter she says. The distinction is important.

Masterton already has a night shelter but it is restricted to men and it bans alcohol, she explains. But the town has a number of homeless women too - and its share of alcoholics.

Working with the need as she sees it and in what is probably a New Zealand first, Tankersley says the new refuge will allow a place for alcohol as well as men and women.

"It's going to be interesting to see how it goes" says Tankersley. "A lot of people are going to be watching to see what happens. It'll be a good learning curve."

She firmly believes alcoholic homeless people won't use the new facility if alcohol is banned. There will be rules, though.

"We're making it really strict. It's only for Masterton's extreme homeless. We're working very closely with Masterton police to make sure that happens" she says.

Accommodation by invitation only

Tankersley says as the refuge will be free-of-charge, being allowed to stay there will be by invitation only. This means people will be able to sleep in the same bed each night and enjoy breakfast and a shower.

The invitation-only rule will be strictly adhered to.

"We don't want anybody coming from other areas because this is a free thing. They don't have to pay. Once people in Palmy or Wellington start hearing about it, they'll start coming over the hill ... we don't want that to happen."

Volunteers will staff the facility initially, before full-time workers are employed, she says.

Source

• NZ Herald

As the 2024 plan is still being debated, social housing won't get a look-in for funds until 2032 if Council staff recommendations are adopted.

The Council currently houses more than 3000 tenants across 1900 homes through housing provider Te Toi Mahana.

Deferred maintenance

When it meets on Thursday to vote on the long-term plan, the Council would like councillors to defer social housing upgrades.

Citing the need to cut back, staff note overall savings from the social housing upgrades would be $61.3 million. That money would be used to create a disaster fund and to contribute to the $500m the Council needs to address its under-insurance gap.

The upgrades include work which the Council must undertake as part of its Deed of Grant with the Government. They include work like seismic strengthening, insulation, ventilation, fencing and lighting, as well as kitchens, storage and laundry facility upgrades.

The Government funded $220m for this in 2007. In return the Council was to remain a social housing provider until at least 2037 - and upgrade its housing portfolio to modern standards.

Tenants deserve better

Wellington mayor Tory Whanau says it is Councillors' responsibility - not Council staff's - to decide where savings come from.

She wants an amendment to the staff report to remove the recommendation for deferring housing upgrades.

"This will mean tenants can get the safe, dry homes they deserve" she says.

Social housing is one of the "non-negotiables" Whanau is firm about.

A different model

In Auckland, Council staff help support Manaaki Tangata, a hospitality and care facility.

The collaboration between Auckland Council, Eke Panuku and Maori Wardens responds to the needs of those experiencing homelessness in the city centre.

Council staff say the facility means "Our most vulnerable can ... have a shower and some food, store their belongings, and ultimately the hope is we can connect them to other services available to help them".

"For some, it might be their first time on the street, they've done something to get themselves kicked out and they literally have nowhere to go. It's a very scary reality having nowhere to go."

Some mightn't start on the streets with a drinking or drug problem but, to survive, they end up with one, says a Maori warden.

"That's where we come in ... sometimes just getting people that help, helps them to make that good decision."

Source

• Our Auckland
• The Post

Hundreds of people responded to the invitation. Over 100 volunteers fed them in the spirit of community and charity.

The Archbishop, who joined the diners for the meal, spoke of his great joy at being able to offer and share a meal with them in the shadow of St Mary's Cathedral - which is Sydney's mother church — to share a common humanity.

"For me, it's such a special joy to share a meal with you and offer food and hospitality to you in this sacred heart of Sydney" he told those gathered.

Following the Pope's example

Fr Peter Smith had the idea for Street Feast after Pope Francis first observed the World Day of the Poor on 19 November 2017.

His theme for that day was "Let us love, not with words but with deeds".

What started as a meal has become "a great celebration for our city" Smith said.

It grows every year.

Smith's humble sausage sizzle and bread roll has turned into a feast.

Groups like St Merkorious Charity have been providing "a true feast, and groups like Payce Foundation who give us an enormous amount of funding" he said.

Stalls from charities like Vinnies abound. It's "just growing and growing" Smith said.

A great vibe

Mark Bampton, one of the guests at the meal, says he accepted the Sydney Archdiocese's invitations for food and fraternity.

"It's a great vibe here today" he said. "It's good to see so many people here. The volunteers have come up and have been with us. It makes you feel seen and loved".

St Merkorious Charity, which makes 4,000 meals a week for the elderly, homeless and disabled, oversaw the food provision at Street Feast. They says they made "about 500 kebabs, 500 falafel and lots of food and beautiful salads".

"It's an amazing event. And this is what we're here for. To put smiles on people's faces and show that we're here to support them in their hardship" Bampton said.

Other invited guests such as the Federal Member for Sydney were overjoyed at witnessing the spirit of generosity on display.

"It's really at the heart of Jesus' message. It's about love for everyone. I'm so impressed with the generosity of the people who come, their generosity to one another. The generosity of the organisations and the volunteers who come out to serve lunch, to be here to show fellowship. It's wonderful to see and be a part of."

When he finished eating, Bampton thanked the hundreds who made today possible for people "doing it tough" and especially "the church for all the goodwill".

We must all give up some of our time to stop and talk to the city's vulnerable, to get to know them and realise the struggles that they go through" Smith said.

"Jesus constantly went out to the margins. And I think that's what we need to do as a Church as well."

Source

• Catholic Weekly

Thousands more are couch surfing, living in vehicles and constantly moving through a series of short-term temporary accommodation.

The latest statistics released showed that New Zealand has about 102,000 people experiencing homelessness - similar to the population of Dunedin.

The Golden Mile no more

In Wellington homeless people are evident, day and night.

They sleep on the footpaths in what was once called the Golden Mile in Lambton Quay and Willis Street.

Wellington's Downtown Community Ministry director Stephen Turnock says there's been a 40 percent increase in homelessness in Wellington.

Last month 464 homeless or rough sleepers came to them for help - 134 more than at the same time last year.

Ihe increasing cost of living and challenges around housing affordability contribute to the rise in homelessness - and the situation is getting worse, Turnock says.

Emergency housing rules tightened

In August, the Government introduced tougher emergency housing eligibility and stand down rules.

The effect was instant.

Emergency housing is now harder for people to access, Turnock says.

"I guess ... by applying harsher criteria and applying harsher rules - there's a perception that people are in this situation as a result of poor choices and their own decisions - what we don't see is that the systemic failures are being taken into account.

"So therefore, when we're looking at these policies, they need to also consider the complex challenges these people are facing."

Many coming to Downtown Community Ministry are in crisis, in the midst of some form of mental health or addiction problem, he says.

Besides housing, they also need access to mental health services, addiction services and support networks.

All those issues need to be taken in consideration, "not just access to an inappropriate shelter such as a motel" Turnock says.

Growing long-term problem

It's getting harder to find sustainable solutions but, with insufficient housing, it's like mission impossible.

"We've been struggling to find places. I think the whole sector has for many years, and the people who we support are the people who are like least likely to actually get access to a safe, warm home.

"We're seeing an increase in terms of barriers [to] the people we support, in terms of accessing the appropriate level of supports and resources such as health, such as employment, such as finance access.

"Things have gotten tough and many people throughout New Zealand are experiencing this and the group of people that we support are the ones who probably experience it the hardest."

Alternative pathways and solutions are needed to provide long-term, safe, affordable housing for everybody - especially people most at risk and experiencing homelessness.

While he agrees with the Government that emergency housing is not something that we should need or should rely on, it's needed now.

We have short-term solutions but Government support, new houses and an increase in housing access is fundamental to making this happen, he says.

Source

• RNZ

"Shifting the needle on homelessness statistics in a truly meaningful way will take a collective and sustained effort" says Vinnies South Australia chief executive Evelyn O'Loughlin.

She says organisations like Vinnies (the Society of St Vincent de Paul), all levels of government, businesses and the community at large - "that's you", can help.

"It's easy to turn a blind eye when we are confronted with homelessness, mostly because the average person doesn't know where or how to start" O'Loughlin says.

"However, I truly believe there is a great sense of goodwill in the community when it comes to wanting to support those without a home - I see it firsthand with leaders turning up for the Vinnies CEO Sleepout and through our generous community of donors."

O'Loughlin says financial support makes it possible for Vinnies to provide the necessary safety net for people who "for whatever reason" don't have social or community support.

That support is crucial during difficult times, she says.

Some practical advice

Many people want to help end homelessness but not everyone knows what to say or do when they come across homeless people, O'Loughlin says.

If people are looking for ideas about how they can make a difference, she suggests they:

• stop and have a chat with someone who is sleeping rough. Ask them what they need - it's not always food.
• raise awareness across your networks - online and offline - about homelessness. Knowledge is power.
• take a keen interest in policy around homelessness/housing and cost-of-living support. What are your local MP's views?
• give some of your time and expertise or make a financial donation to Vinnies or another charity which supports people experiencing homelessness.

Getting involved and encouraging others to join collective efforts to raise awareness and combat homelessness helps, she says.

This can contribute to a larger impact in the fight against homelessness, by creating more supportive and compassionate community.

Source

• InDaily

On top of that challenge, the Bay Area is home to a rapidly growing immigrant population from a host of countries, whose members are often in need of day-to-day help simply to survive.

Catholic Charities

At the heart of this city's burgeoning demand for social services, ranging from housing and meals to legal assistance and education, is Catholic Charities San Francisco.

In order to affect the lives of its struggling constituents in a meaningful way, the agency has had to dramatically change in some ways.

It's changed the way it manages and delivers a constellation of assistance programmes through its 500 employees and $60- to $90-million annual budget, among the largest in the Catholic Charities USA network.

Training programme

Rising to help meet that formidable challenge to Catholic Charities, not just in San Francisco but in its agencies across the country, is a new nonprofit executive management training programme.

As of this spring, the programme will have brought top-tier business school knowledge and skills to local leaders at nearly all of Catholic Charities' 167 offices.

The programme gives Catholic Charities the opportunity to break from more than a century of entrenched management rules and regulations.

This then enables the nation's largest purveyor of social services to move a new business model characterised by best practices, strategic thinking and, above all, the relentless need for change that nearly every office is now facing.

"The executive-level training enabled me to develop a robust theory of change across our agency, and that's helped us to ensure the sustainability of key assistance programs and services," said Ellen Hammerle, chief executive officer of Catholic Charities San Francisco.

One programme that has already benefited, she points out, is the Center for Immigration, Legal and Support Services.

Traditionally beset by fiscal challenges, that center revamped the structure of its extensive legal services programme to make it more of a business model than a social services model.

The process they use to do this was guided by the innovative thinking and strategic tools that Dr. Hammerle acquired from her nonprofit management training.

The need for advanced, C.E.O.-caliber education is echoed across the Catholic Charities network.

"We have amazing leaders in our Catholic Charities offices, but many don't have the background of running what amounts to an independent business and don't have the financial resources to get that in-depth training," explains Anthony Sciacca.

He's the executive vice president and chief development officer of Catholic Charities USA.

"Our C.E.O.s are thrilled that a course of this magnitude is being offered to them, and at the conclusion, they can't wait to take what they have learned back to their respective organizations for implementation."

Putting the ‘Theory of Change' to Work

Catholic Charities in Green Bay, Wis., is closely following that playbook.

It is deploying theory of change tools that Karmen Lemke, director of Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Green Bay, gleaned from her advanced business training.

These tools aim to target humanitarian services that will have the greatest impact on resource-poor communities in some 16 mostly rural counties of Northeast Wisconsin.

"It's here, beyond the borders of Green Bay, where some of the greatest social needs exist, and where our unique presence can fulfill what God is calling on us to do to serve those most in need," said Ms. Lemke.

She manages a staff of 35 and an annual budget between $4.5 million and $5 million.

"My academic training is helping us to connect our goals with our mission and to draw on data-driven information and resources wherever possible to make those important decisions.

"It will also be helpful in measuring and communicating the impact of our outreach activities."

Laura Deitrick, director of the Nonprofit Institute at the University of San Diego, which designed and delivers the certificate-granting program, underscores its ability to change the mindset of participants.

"These leaders are running very successful organisations, but a programme like this is designed to move their thinking to a more strategic level, which could mean greater engagement with their boards, for example.

"It could also mean for instance, figuring out what measurable outcomes they want to achieve in the community and then writing a budget that will get them there," Dr. Deitrick said. Read more

• Randy Young is a freelance writer in New Jersey.

Dunedin's Night Shelter Trust says immediate and long-term solutions are essential.

The Night Shelter currently provides beds, bathroom and laundry facilities for six homeless people. It's fundraising to provide for six more.

That's just a temporary solution to a huge, long-term problem. In Dunedin, there are at present about 3,000 homeless people.

"We need a city-wide homelessness solution that makes us all feel proud" the Night Shelter Trust says.

The wider problem involves providing "homes plus the support people needed".

To achieve this, vision, leadership and financial backing are needed. Those attributes could provide "transformational results" the Trust says.

Immediate need

Right now, the Night Shelter needs $510,000 for building alterations (consent already granted) to enlarge its accommodation.

Limited capacity has seen people turned away and rules developed so people can't stay too long or too often.

Permanent solutions are elusive. Support to homeless people is intermittent. Some have serious needs.

Some people fall through the cracks: people with challenges such as addiction, illness, mental illness, intellectual disability and convictions. Some homeless people the Trust sees are very young.

While some adults are provided with supported living, others miss out and are "left having to navigate health and social agencies without advocacy" the Trust notes.

Longer term solutions

To better support people, the Trust believes it's necessary to have case managers with a focus on "relationship building that achieves results".

Case managers could work to achieve solutions by creating an environment in which their clients can thrive and have control of their lives.

The Dunedin City Council's objective of functional zero homelessness is heartening, the Trust says. The objective envisions more people leaving the situation than entering it.

One positive way to achieve this could be for the Council to "to take the lead" alongside other agencies to "enable the delivery of a more comprehensive service".

Another option would be to create a City Mission in Dunedin that's the equivalent of the Auckland City Mission (ACM).

The ACM's newly-built facility incorporates the HomeGround apartment building, with its on-site health and social services, along with an outreach service that locates homeless people and enables them to accept help.

At present, Dunedin's support services could be "quite siloed" because of limited funding and service criteria.

Government support absent

Central government funding for services in the South is "not prioritised" compared with other parts of the country, the Trust says.

It notes no agency in Dunedin is funded to deliver Housing First. That's the government programme that aims to provide homes and support for people who have been homeless for at least a year.

The number of homes being built by the council and Kainga Ora were also "not enough" says the Trust.

"People are stuck on waiting lists for housing and their situation can deteriorate in the meantime, with flow-on costs to health and mental health services — and prisons."

Source

• Otago Daily Times
• CathNews NZ

Its success to date has generated optimism for similar future investments under a National-led government.

Since its inception six years ago, the Genesis Youth Trust-run programme has reduced youth offending notably.

Compared to a similar risk group, participants of the Genesis programme showed

• a 30 percent lower re-offending rate,
• decreased hospital admissions,
• a reduced need for mental health services and
• a 40 percent increase in tertiary education enrolments.

Despite these successes, the programme faced challenges.

Political changes and reduced departmental interest in social bonds had an ongoing effect on enrolments and referrals.

Where the Trust's original goal was to recruit 1,000 young people to its programme, only 607 were ultimately enrolled.

One contributor to this shortfall was the COVID-19 pandemic, which lead to under-utilised funds.

Genesis Youth Trust, impacted by the funding shortfall, had to reduce its staff.

Chair of the 'G-Fund' Carl Bakker, author of a report about the social bond's impact on Trust participants, says the report's publication timing was crucial - coinciding with a National government coming into power.

Nicola Willis of the National Party has shown interest in such social investment schemes.

Dean Spicer, ANZ Sustainable Finance head, stressed the government's role as a key social impact investor.

He noted that while funding is necessary, measurable outcomes are crucial for success.

Since the bond's launch in 2017, there has been a shift towards responsible and impactful investments, reflecting growing public expectations, he says.

The report highlights a positive shift in investor attitudes towards social investments.

The National Party campaigned for the use of social bonds to tackle the emergency housing crisis, proposing a $50 million bond to help families transition from emergency housing to stable long-term homes.

This movement towards innovative social investment strategies represents a significant step in addressing social issues in New Zealand, highlighting a collaborative and outcome-focused approach, Spicer says.

• Source: Newsroom

More than that, it is rumored that charitable organisations that supply tents to the homeless might themselves be prosecuted for their generosity.

What have we come to? Is this the latest phase in the "don't drop litter campaign"?

Some ten years ago the Canadian sculptor, Timothy Schalz, gave us "Homeless Jesus" .

It depicted a huddled Christ lying on a park bench wrapped in a cloak identified only by his exposed feet bearing the marks of crucifixion - stark and chilling image of those whom society chooses to ignore until they become inconvenient.

By 2016, over 100 casts had been placed in various public places worldwide. And the list continues. Each day people walk by, some sit near the exposed feet, bowing their heads in prayer.

The destitution of Jesus is no more apparent than in Matthew's Gospel where he writes: "And Jesus said to him, 'Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head'."

Poverty, unemployment, natural disasters and wars

Homelessness has numerous causes, many of them arising from the careless and selfish attitudes of our society.

One cause is poverty and the lack of a regular income to cover one's rent or mortgage. Some who are employed earn a wage or salary that is insufficient to meet their needs.

Too often, we are critical of outcome and ignore the root of the evident problem. As long as all is tidy and presentable, we ask no further questions.

So, we end up with a divided society, with those who have enough overtly critical of those with insufficient means to meet their basic needs.

Natural disaster, earthquake and flood can take away homes leaving whole communities without shelter and the means to feed themselves.

For a few days they are headline news, that is until something else happens and the story fades. But the problem of their survival remains.

Another cause of poverty is war between nations.

You have only to look at the graphic images of the destruction wrought on Gaza City to realize the huge material cost of repairing or replacing homes and businesses when all this over. Meanwhile, families must live amongst the rubble, the debris that once they called home.

Home is more than a collection of rooms

One of the most memorable tracks on Paul Simon's 1986 album Gracelands is the song "Homeless", which and Black Mambazo sing in English and Zulu.

The haunting melody echoes the tragedy of the loss of home and the loneliness of night after a storm

Homeless, homeless
Moonlight sleeping on a midnight lake
Homeless, homeless
Moonlight sleeping on a midnight lake
We are homeless, we are homeless
The moonlight sleeping on a midnight lake
And we are homeless, homeless, homeless
The moonlight sleeping on a midnight lake…..

……Strong wind destroy our home
Many dead, tonight it could be you
Strong wind, strong wind
Many dead, tonight it could be you.

But home is more than a collection of rooms. It is a place of family identity where meals are shared and stories told. It is a place of security for children, where the care of parents can be relied on.

That is what makes the loss of a home so poignant and the consequences so hard to bear.

If the Home Secretary thinks that is a lifestyle choice, so be it. I beg to differ from her point of view.

• Chris McDonnell is a retired headteacher from England and a regular contributor to La Croix International.
• First published in La Croix. Republished with permission.

The Passage, which has Archbishop of Westminster Cardinal Vincent Nichols as patron, said: "The people we work with have not chosen to be on the streets; circumstances have put them there."

In a statement, chief executive Mick Clarke strongly condemned the new enforcement powers outlined by the Home Secretary.

"We believe that everyone deserves a place to call home; that no one should ever have to sleep on the streets, or indeed in a tent on the streets," he said.

"This policy risks demonising the poorest in our society without even beginning to address the real issues facing our country regarding poverty and homelessness," Clarke added.

Read More

They say great to know they can shower, wash their clothes and "have interesting chats".

Put another way, that's nearly the same as the population of Whanganui, a couple of thousand fewer than Upper Hutt and maybe a tad more or less than the populations of Gisborne and Lyttleton combined.

The organisation says in 2021 - 2022 it provided 3,001 loads of laundry, 1,945 hot showers and over 3,893 hours of conversation for those "doing it tough" and who need a listening ear.

Orange Sky say people who are or have experienced homelessness face a myriad of problems which those of us living indoors at home don't need to consider.

Among the practical concerns for example, is how to keep clean when you don't have a shower or a laundry.

Dignity

Howie lived in a van for three years. He said during that time, Orange Sky's service was a godsend.

"Each Saturday morning visiting the orange van was like my big day out! Washing my clothes, having a shower and a chat gave me dignity.

"People weren't judging me for my situation or my skin colour; they just gave me moral support."

After three years, Howie had a settled place to live but returned to visit his Orange Sky friends.

"It's not just the showers, it's the people," he says.

Peter, who's in a similar situation to the one Howie was in, said Orange Sky "takes a lot of pressure off".

"It's great to take some pride in my appearance and have a chat with some volunteers - it makes you feel human again."

Source

• MaiFM

It's almost impossible to know, exactly, how many people sleep in cars. "None", would be the best answer. But this isn't a "best answer" world.

One measure is how many people on the Housing Register (essentially a waiting list of people assessed as eligible for public housing, but not yet in it) give their address as a car.

How many applicants for public housing, Chris Bishop asked, indicated they were living in a car in June 2023, compared with October 2017?

Priyanca Radhakrishnan answered that in June 2023. "There were 480 applicants who put ‘car' down as their accomodation type, compared to 102 in October 2017."

"I refuse to stand by while children are sleeping in cars", Jacinda Ardern said, in the 1 News Leaders' Debate, pre-election in 2017.

It was one of those memorable lines that contained a zeitgeist fury. Back then, sleeping in cars was evidence of the kind of failure that defines a Government.

Now? It gets less attention.

Some of this is down to a paradox. The Housing Register has grown because it has some meaning.

In her answer to Chris Bishop's question, Associate Minister Radhakrishnan reminded us: "This Government has added 12,198 net additional public homes, as compared to that member's Government who left us with 1,500 public homes fewer compared to when they took office."

People who listed 'car' as their accommodation in New Zealand went from 102 in October 2017 to 480 in June 2023. (Source: 1News)

Yes. You only join a queue when you believe it's leading somewhere. Albeit slowly. Besides, the previous National Government appeared to get its State housing policy from Humpty Dumpty.

This is a recurring theme in Labour's response when National attacks its provision and management of public housing.

Housing Minister, Megan Woods, responding to Nicola Willis in 2021, brandished the derisory "they" for National's performance when in Government. A finger-wagging "they".

"They finished Government with 1,500 fewer houses than they started with. If they'd built at even our minimum level of 1,600 houses a year, we would have had 15,000 more public houses in New Zealand."

Fair point.

But Chris Bishop's point is also fair. And important. And if Labour and its supporters were appalled by people sleeping in cars in 2017, surely they'll be appalled by it now?

Won't they? Judging by Twitter traffic - maybe not.

An interesting thing happened on Friday morning.

Bernard Hickey tweeted out the same link to the Parliamentary exchange between Chris Bishop and Priyanca Radhakrishnan that I've attached (above), with an accompanying twelve-word commentary: "This says it all. As the rain comes down. And it's cold."

Had it been 2017, and had National been in power, this would likely have had so many retweets it would have got dizzy. But in the twelve hours that followed it going up, it was retweeted only once. Once. By the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG).

CPAG didn't hold back.

"Touché @bernardchickey", their tweet commenced, ending: "The state of the nation can be summed up in this headline. The children living in cars are not included in @Stats_NZ child poverty data. Abhorrent, outrageous, unacceptable."

Take that!

But no-one did. CPAG, whose commitment to addressing child poverty is rigorous, intelligent and admirably non-partisan, weren't retweeted at all in the following twelve hours.

That despite the excellently Twitter baiting fodder of those three furious words: "Abhorrent, outrageous, unacceptable."

Not even National supporters went near it.

Hundreds of people are living in cars in New Zealand - but does that matter to Kiwis this election?

Indeed, if you go to National's website, there's no mention whatsoever of the information Chris Bishop elicited from Priyanca Radhakrishnan in Parliament on Thursday afternoon.

Instead, as I write this, National's issue of the moment (and obviously their website is constantly updated) is crime.

Yes, a third of National's front twelve "press releases" at the close of the week were on crime, with ram raids mentioned nine times.

Imagine, the power if National had linked the impacts of a childhood in which economic deprivation was so great that their "home" was a car, with the tragically increased likelihood of criminality.

The link is established. Starkly.

"Children born into poverty more likely to become criminals", RNZ headlined a story in 2018, reporting on research by the Ministry of Social Development.

The then Children's Commissioner, and former principal judge of the country's Youth Court, Andrew Becroft, is quoted. "He said children suffering from material hardship were more likely to end up with a poor education and in crime when they grew up."

Yes.

"We know that long-term education is going to be a challenge", Andrew Becroft is reported as saying.

"We know that they are, the kids, especially the boys, are at risk of criminal offending. So this isn't just a theoretical issue, this [has] significant life ramifications."

And here we are. Five years later. Living with them. Continue reading

• John Campbell is TVNZ's Chief Correspondent.

In the last year, the number of residents notifying Auckland City Mission about the welfare of people sleeping rough has doubled.

The notifications sounded the alarm on the dire conditions faced by those huddled in flimsy cardboard shelters, seeking refuge at bus stops, or living in their vehicles.

Homeless for 11 years, 36-year-old Ricky said he had seen more and more new faces joining his street whanau every day and they were young. Read more

Men seem particularly vulnerable to housing insecurity, says Greg, a peer support worker with Lifewise, who works with men experiencing homelessness.

He told RNZ's The Detail they're often facing a web of other personal challenges.

Thinking of the people he works with now, Greg says there are a lot of reasons men find themselves without a stable home.

"Some grew up in boys' homes; some hospitals, through mental health.

"Others have had such bad home lives that they just came straight out on the streets when they were young and never left.

"Some have just been in and out of prison their whole lives because they didn't know any other way, and that's what they saw around them, so that's what they did.

"There's not one reason. There are all sorts of different reasons...and trying to unpack that is the hard part," he says.

HomeGround, the Auckland City Mission's Hobson Street facility, aims to accommodate those in acute need of housing while also tackling the drivers of homelessness through wraparound support.

Auckland City Missioner, Helen Robinson reinforces men's housing insecurity saying around 70% of the people coming through the doors at HomeGround are men.

However, Robinson says the tragedy at Loafers Lodge is symptomatic of a broader problem.

It's about having the means to help.

"Despite there being a large number of community groups across the country designed to provide care and services for vulnerable people, the funding and coordination of services isn't there," Robinson says.

"I think what something like Loafers Lodge is showing is that that support is not rocket science, we just have to acknowledge that people need it.

"New Zealand is learning how possible it is to support people, but actually that it's difficult, and it's time-consuming, and it does require resource to do it."

Robinson says the tragedy is symptomatic of a broader problem.

"It's important to acknowledge the failure of New Zealand for 40 years to actually create enough good housing that's appropriate, that's affordable, for us all," she says.

She lists poverty, trauma, violence and relationship breakdown as causing homelessness.

Source

• RNZ

The Tribunal says the first stage of its inquiry into the Crown's housing policy and services from 2009 to 2021 is now complete.

It found the Crown's actions breached Te Tiriti (the Treaty) - particularly its principles of active protection, equity and good government.

As an example, the Crown formulated a definition of homelessness in 2009 without adequately consulting Maori. Nor did it take any action to address the rising Maori homelessness levels. In fact, seven years of inaction over rising Maori homelessness followed.

The Tribunal also found the Crown developed a Maori housing strategy but did not implement it. Furthermore, it tightened access to the social housing register despite Maori reliance on social housing.

During this part of the inquiry the Tribunal heard claimants in 79 claims. Witnesses appeared for the Crown from five separate agencies. Claimants called technical witnesses, but no research was commissioned.

Crown failures

The Crown sought to reduce its provision of social housing from 2010. It opted to transfer more responsibility to community housing providers, the inquiry found.

While state house numbers declined, community housing providers weren't filling the gaps.

"This shortfall took place just as housing affordability began to severely worsen," the tribunal report says.

After being forced to recognise the housing crisis in 2016, the Crown attempted to combat Maori homelessness.

The Tribunal says it's unable to measure if these attempts were Treaty-compliant as many were introduced just before or during its inquiry.

At the same time, the Tribunal found the Crown continued to breach the Treaty in various ways through its:

narrow consultation about its new strategies,

ongoing failure to collect thorough homelessness data,

shortcomings in inter-agency coordination,

continued failure to reform the welfare system to improve outcomes for Maori,

lack of support for homeless rangatahi.

Tribunal concerns

The Crown has a Treaty obligation to protect rangatiratanga over kainga, the Tribunal says.

However, it notes traditional kainga barely exist today because of colonisation and urbanisation.

In the circumstances, the Crown's starting point is to provide suitable housing for homeless Maori. That is because it is the immediate need, the Tribunal says.

It recommends urging the Crown to work in partnership with claimants on a definition of homelessness that incorporated Maori perspectives.

It did not identify solutions to the homelessness problem. "This is a matter for a future report following a broader investigation into homelessness and its underlying causes," the Tribunal says.

Although the Tribunal deferred findings on issues concerning housing on rural Maori land, it is concerned about living conditions.

Many Maori who had returned to live on their whenua are living in appalling conditions which should be unacceptable in 21st century New Zealand, the Tribunal says.

Where to from here

The Housing Policy and Services inquiry will move into the main part of its hearing programme in 2024.

Source

• RNZ
• Stuff

New Zealand already had a housing shortage - so where to accommodate the newly displaced is a huge question. Housing's short. Demand exceeds supply. Rents are brutal. How will they - can they - pay the price?

The scale of the problem

It's thought at least 10,000 people are displaced in Hawke's Bay and Te Tai Rawhiti alone.

In Gisborne for example, Gabrielle left over 170 homes red- or yellow-stickered.

The city already suffers from a chronic shortage of rental accommodation. A Trade Me search finds eight properties available (five with just one-bedroom).

Motels are full. There are over 560 people waitlisted for social housing.

It's a similar story in Hawke's Bay and Wairoa. Officials say it will be a mammoth task to re-home the cyclone displaced people.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said about 800 houses in Auckland and Northland had been evacuated because of the cyclone.

Meantime, people are bunking with friends, family or neighbours. Building inspections are ongoing.

For many, the isolation from main centres will create challenges in repairing houses, bringing in temporary accommodation, and evacuating displaced people.

Damage across the state highway network is severe.

This level of displacement hasn't been experienced in New Zealand since the 2011 Christchurch earthquakes.

Where to find accommodation

Discussions are underway between the Government, charities and iwi to find a solution to the looming housing crisis.

It's expected the Government's Temporary Accommodation Service will step in over the next weeks.

By then, access to Hawke's Bay and the East Coast may have improved and the Civil Defence response will have become more focused on recovery rather than emergency response.

Finding rental accommodation is a giant problem. Paying for it is another.

Trade Me's Gavin Lloyd says the latest rental prices show a $25 jump per week.

The jump "will be unpleasant news for renters around the country," Lloyd says.

Lloyd says time will tell how the market will be impacted by the Auckland floods and Cyclone Gabrielle.

"What we do know is that January marked the second month in a row where the median weekly rent in Auckland, Hawke's Bay and Northland reached a record high."

He expects supply will fall significantly and in turn put more stress on tenants in the affected regions.

Source

• Stuff
• 1News
• RNZ
• 1News

These streets are where hundreds of vulnerable people live - and die. A disproportionate number are Maori.

Homelessness is a terrible situation, says Helen Robinson. It can take up to 30 years off someone's life. It affects everything: physical, mental and spiritual well-being.

"It affects us on every level of our being from practical, where do you wash yourself or put your clothes, to not feeling safe.

"Imagine what it's like for every moment of every day to have no place to know you are safe."

At Home Ground, the Mission's central Auckland shelter, street community members die at age 50 on average. That's 30 years earlier than the national average lifespan.

They struggle to cultivate and maintain relationships and employment; they battle drug and alcohol abuse and neglect health.

There's nowhere near enough money or resources to help.

One in six New Zealanders needs help with these issues.

We're all just two or three life events away from that reality.

Revolting racism

"I am incredibly conscious we are seeing the impact of colonisation," Robinson says. It's "deeply incumbent" on her to "mirror the impact," she adds.

"When you strip people of their land and resources, this is the result.

"We all need to see the truth, and we need to continually call our country to account.

"The level of racism I sometimes see is revolting, but more and more New Zealanders are coming to understand the harm that has occurred."

Maori women are among the most vulnerable members of our community, Robinson says.

"They have been silenced and marginalised like no other group in our society. There is a real challenge to be appropriately responding to the needs of people, particularly Maori.

"We need to make sure they feel connected, comfortable and welcome."

Help needed

Robinson says the need she sees at Home Ground is far greater than the Mission can meet.

Working people and the unemployed are suffering. They're homeless. Hungry. There's only so much in a weekly budget.

"Many New Zealanders simply don't have enough money for food," Robinson says.

The Mission provides about three million meals a year.

Christmas

Last year the Mission delivered 10,000 food parcels and 40,000 gifts for tamariki in the weeks leading to Christmas.

Robinson's anticipating an even greater need in 2022 and is relying on the community to fill it.

"Food and toy donations are absolute gold at Christmas.

"We know where the need is greatest, whether its baked beans or a pavlova," a Mission staff member comments.

Get real

While, as a country, we have much to be proud of, there's a lot that we need to address, says Robinson.

"We need to be brave ... acknowledging the number of people that are homeless and hungry.

"Women are bearing that burden. We desperately need to have those honest conversations. What does it mean to use alcohol safely? The significance, impact and amount of domestic violence. It's just too much. The only way out is if everyone is talking about this."

Source

• RNZ

A "bloody fiasco", a "failed govt experiment", and "tantamount to child abuse" - some of the descriptions of the accommodation.

Resource consent is being sought for 13 Rotorua motels to keep operating as emergency housing for another five years.

Motels were supposed to be a short-term solution, but the bill for the scheme is topping a billion dollars since Labour took office in 2017. Read more

The Catholic housing trust has been flooded with messages since Smith announced his resignation last month.

It's clear he'll be missed. Big time.

Smith is modest about his involvement with the Trust.

"Empowering the disempowered, housing the homeless and feeding the hungry - surely that's what we should do anyway," he says.

"It just represents our calling as individuals and as members of the Church here on earth."

He says he's loved seeing people gain hope when only experiencing hopelessness, to see whanau once disempowered now empowered to stand tall in their faith, culture and gender.

While he's quiet about his own achievements, he's proud of the Trust's progress.

It's been a hard job, but the rewards so far have been worth the effort.

"It's been wonderful to see unemployed people gain employment, further their education, gain diplomas and degrees, start businesses and become self-sustainable" he says.

"There's also been the occasional whanau who've progressed far enough to buy their own home. All those rewards have kept me going!"

Smith also mentions another major achievement involving a substantial building project.

This involved collaborating with the government to build 31 apartments and Monte's first headquarters - a small office facility.

They will be of lasting use for many years, he says.

"Generations to come will benefit from this work by gaining employment or having a safe, warm, dry home."

Managing homelessness and poverty is everyone's responsibility

Monte Cecilia's outgoing CEO says with growing homelessness and poverty in New Zealand there's too much for one group to try to fix it alone.

"The government cannot resolve this crisis on their own, and nor should they.

"We need partnerships. Collaboration and unity are critical factors. We need to work on this because homelessness and poverty are unacceptable in New Zealand. We all need to get involved!

"Desmond Tutu said 'Do your little bit of good where you are; it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world'."

Messages following Smith's resignation show much he is valued and will be missed.

• "Was saddened to read this, I just wanted to thank you
• "... for being real and talking to me straight all the time ...
• "... for your leadership ... and leading with your heart
• " You and your work have made a huge positive impact
• "I have always valued your perspective, comradeship and support...
• " ... for being such a strong advocate for those without a home and for those living in poverty
• " Your passion and compassion along with your acumen is testimony to you as a person and the Gospel: "Truly I tell you, just as you did to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me"
• "... it is a lonely place being a voice for social justice. Thank you for the times you have publicly ... spoken truthfully as your mind and heart direct
• "I ... admire your giving voice to the whanau we all serve..."

Source

• Supplied

The study explored the relationship between Takatapui/LGBTIQ+ and homelessness, and was carried out by researcher Dr Brodie Fraser.

Earlier research from Fraser examined the experiences of eight people from the LGBTIQ+ community who had been homeless.

There was a clear disparity in the proportion of homeless who were LGBTIQ+, Fraser said. However, New Zealand lacks comprehensive data on the LGBTIQ+ population, so they made use of international figures. Read more