Housing moves praised, but homelessness still growing

The City Mission welcomed recent Government announcements on homelessness, especially the creation of 300 additional Housing First places.

“For those 300 people, this represents a life-changing difference and a vital investment towards ending rough sleeping,” the organisation stated.

But the number of those experiencing homelessness has increased “as a direct result of tightened emergency housing eligibility criteria introduced in September 2024”, it added.

Since then, Ministry of Social Development rejections citing that people had “contributed to their own homelessness” have risen 386 per cent.

“The consequence has been a sharp increase in homelessness.”

“In Auckland alone, more than 800 people are sleeping rough – a 90 per cent increase since September 2024. Nationally, there are 985 people on the Housing First waitlist, 37.8 per cent of whom have been homeless for three or more years.

“Importantly, not everyone rough sleeping qualifies for Housing First. Eligibility requires at least a year of continuous homelessness, meaning those new to the streets don’t qualify for this support.”

The City Mission expressed “deep disappointment” that the recent Government announcement on homelessness measures “leaves these tightened eligibility criteria unchanged. Until the policy settings are changed the number of people sleeping rough will continue to rise”.

“We again call for Ministers Bishop, Potaka and Upston to make significant policy change to the eligibility criteria for emergency housing so it genuinely responds to the need. We call for the instructions provided to MSD staff on how to apply this policy to be made publicly available immediately.”

The Auckland City Mission assumed the management and operation of the James Liston Hostel in Auckland in 2019. The hostel is one of the locations from which the City Mission offers residential transitional housing services.  

The City Mission, along with the Catholic Diocese of Auckland and Methodist Mission, is one of the founders and trustees of the James Liston Hostel, and the City Mission operates the hostel on behalf of the James Liston Hostel Trust.

FULL STORY

Media release: Auckland City Mission – Te Tāpui Atawhai welcomes expanded support for rough sleepers, but scale of need still not met (Auckland City Mission)

(1) Video | Facebook (Auckland City Mission)

Residential Services (Auckland City Mission)