Auckland Homelessness Crisis Sparks Urgent Calls for Government Action

Auckland is facing a growing homelessness crisis, with outreach providers now recording 809 rough sleepers — a 90% increase compared to last September. Helen Robinson, an Auckland city missioner, has raised the issue with both the Housing Minister and the Associate Minister for Housing, calling the situation a 'moral shame on our country.'

Robinson highlighted that the 2023 census revealed nearly 113,000 homeless individuals in New Zealand, a number that has many calling for immediate action. She emphasized that the recent tightening of emergency housing policies has likely exacerbated the problem. 'There's a direct relationship between the emergency housing policies being tightened in September of last year and the growth in street homelessness,' she said.

In response, the Housing Minister, Chris Bishop, has engaged in discussions with Robinson and other providers to understand the situation on the ground. The focus is now on improving emergency housing access and expanding shelter and support services through partnerships with organizations like the mission.

The Auckland Council’s Community Committee has also taken action, voting to write to the government to request updated data and better coordination with frontline agencies. Councillor Angela Dalton criticized recent policy changes, stating they have made it harder for people to access emergency housing. 'There's some policies that have been changed that show a lack of compassion because they are making assumptions that people are not trying hard enough,' she said.

Meanwhile, Associate Minister for Housing Tama Potaka acknowledged the complexity of the issue, citing efforts such as the construction of new social housing, Māori housing initiatives, and the expansion of transitional housing. 'No one I know wants to see Kiwis living without shelter, and we're very concerned with the level of rough sleeping and people in cars, and in tents,' he said.

The situation has sparked a national conversation about the need for more compassionate and effective policies to address the root causes of homelessness. As the government and community organizations work together, the hope is that tangible changes can be made to ensure that no one is left without shelter in New Zealand.