New Zealand’s housing problem is a human rights crisis of significant proportions, says a United Nations expert. United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to housing Leilani Farha who has been visiting New Zealand, has issued a statement about her findings. She said a “more ambitious, innovative and courageous approach” is necessary to solve the Read more
A small crowd gathered, Wednesday, outside the City Mission, Newtown, to welcome the first Orange Sky van to Wellington. The custom-built-van is fitted with a shower, two washing machines and a clothes dryer, and open to use for anyone living without these necessities. Kris F’afoi, the associate minister for housing, and local member of parliament Read more
Beggars have been branded “pretty evil” organised criminals by the head of an upscale Auckland retail district’s business association. But a senior police officer has rejected Mark Knoff-Thomas’ claim, saying there was no evidence to support his assertion that beggars were connected to organised crime. Read more
Ian Cassels, a well known Wellington property developer, has pledged to set aside $10,000 for charity from the profit of every high-end home he sells. Houses and apartments sold for over $800,000 would generate a donation to Wellington City Mission. The money will come from developments in the pipeline like Erskine College, inner-city apartments, and Read more
Rotorua has the second-highest number of homeless people in New Zealand. Only Auckland has more. In 2017 Tiny Deane decided to do something about it. Everyone told him he wouldn’t be able to. But he was not put off. He and his wife Lynley sold their rental property and remortgaged their family home to establish the Read more
At least 15,000 Syrian children will be at risk of homelessness if the Lebanese government goes ahead with the planned demolition of “semi-permanent structures” built by refugees in eastern Lebanon, aid agencies warned on Tuesday. Save the Children, World Vision and Terre des Hommes Foundation said in a joint statement the government made a decision Read more
A church in Gisborne is tackling its local housing shortage. It is the driving force behind a plan to build module eco homes for families in need. The Ahuru Mowai Housing Project has the twofold aim of increasing ownership of energy-efficient homes and boosting employment. Ahuru Mowai plans to build seven module homes in Ida Read more
The world’s richest man has donated almost US$100 million to address homelessness in the US. Three Catholic charities are among the 24 not-for-profit enterprises that will benefit from Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos’s newly launched philanthropic fund. Catholic charities in one archdiocese to benefit from the funds say this will help them assist homeless Read more
Mayor Phil Goff wants to pump an extra $5 million into the Auckland City Mission, to help with the construction costs of its new building on Hobson St. That building, to be called HomeGround, will contain accommodation, health services and community facilities. Demolition of the old City Mission buildings has already begun. Continue reading
A sculpture of a homeless Jesus – depicting hims as a homeless person sleeping on a park bench, with his face and hands are obscured by a blanket but crucifixion wounds on his feet revealing his identity has finally found a home. It was denied a home in London two years ago after Westminster City Read more