Catholic agencies say homeless ‘move on’ orders unjust

The Society of St Vincent de Paul New Zealand, Catholic Social Services Wellington and Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand concur that the Government’s announcement this week risks criminalising people experiencing homelessness – simply for not having a home, rather than for any antisocial behaviour.  

“Our experience working with vulnerable communities for over 157 years has shown that criminalising homelessness will not lead to a safer and more just society,” said St Vincent de Paul New Zealand president Gerard Stevens.

The three organisations stated that Catholic agencies are guided by the Catholic social teaching principles of human dignity and preferential option for the poor. Human dignity affirms that every person is created in the image of God and possesses inherent worth that cannot be taken away by poverty or housing status, the agencies continued.

“The preferential option for the poor calls us to judge public policy by its impact on those with the least power and protection,” the joint statement said.  

Catholic Social Services Wellington director Carmel McKee said the proposed “move on” power “targets people already facing significant hardship”.

“Displacement will not reduce homelessness or improve public safety. Evidence shows punitive approaches push people into less visible and less safe areas – including prison – increasing the likelihood of harm and reducing their access to social services,” she said. 

“People experiencing homelessness are members of our community, whose mana and dignity must be upheld,” said Mena Antonio, chief executive of Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand. 

The groups urged the Government to work with people experiencing homelessness and the social agencies that support them before advancing these changes.

“We believe sustainable solutions come from investment in housing and support services, not from policies that further displace vulnerable people.”

In order to implement the policy, the Government will amend the Summary Offences Act to give police the power to issue move-on orders to people who are displaying disorderly, disruptive, threatening or intimidating behaviour, Radio New Zealand reported.

They will also apply to people who are obstructing or impeding someone entering a business, breaching the peace, begging, rough sleeping or displaying behaviour indicating an attempt to inhabit a public place. The orders will require someone to leave that area for a specified time – up to 24 hours – and distance determined by the officer.

When the order is issued, the person will be warned it is an offence to breach it, unless they have a reasonable excuse for being there. The penalty for a breach would be a maximum fine of $2000 or up to three months’ imprisonment.

FULL STORY

‘Move On’ powers for police opposed by Catholic agencies (Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand)

Government announces homeless move-on orders – for all town centres, not just Auckland (Radio New Zealand)

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Move-on orders will push homeless people away from support, agency fears (Radio New Zealand)