Government faces growing pressure on homelessness

The New Zealand Government is under mounting scrutiny as homelessness and rough sleeping continue to rise, with the political left accusing Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka of downplaying the impact of housing reforms introduced by his administration.

The Green Party has joined Labour in demanding that Potaka take responsibility for the worsening crisis, which they argue is partly a result of tightened emergency housing access policies. However, Potaka and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon have both defended the reforms, stating that multiple factors — including economic conditions — are contributing to the homelessness crisis.

Data from local providers indicates that rough sleeping is increasing in cities such as Hamilton, Auckland, and Wellington. For example, The Post reported that in Hamilton, the number of people rough sleeping has grown significantly, with local organizations like The The Post noting that the situation is worsening due to a lack of affordable housing and support services.

Tama Potaka has repeatedly emphasized that the government’s housing strategy aims to boost supply and ease pressure on housing prices. He stated that the reforms are designed to ensure long-term stability in the housing market, despite criticism from opposition parties and community advocates.

Green Party housing spokesperson Tamatha Paul has accused Potaka of being out of touch with the realities on the ground. She said, “Tama Potaka needs to tell the truth and admit that his cuts to accessing emergency housing are behind the rise in homelessness that we are seeing across the country.”

According to a recent report by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, the number of households in temporary or emergency housing has increased by 12% over the past year, with many citing a lack of affordable options as the primary reason.

Opposition parties have called for an immediate review of the government’s housing policies, arguing that the current approach is failing to address the urgent needs of vulnerable populations. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Social Development has pledged to increase funding for homelessness support services, though critics argue that the measures are not enough to reverse the trend.

The debate over housing policy is expected to intensify in the coming months, with both the government and opposition parties vying to present their approach as the best solution to the country’s growing homelessness crisis.