Auckland City Council

3 September

Council to address rough sleepers

The Community Services Committee today resolved to look at greater intervention to address and reduce the level of homelessness in Auckland city.

Councillor Paul Goldsmith, chairperson of the Community Services Committee, says the council recognises that rough sleeping is an increasing issue in the city, especially in the central business district.

"I am gravely concerned with the prevalence of rough sleepers in Auckland city. It is frustrating that the council can regulate certain aspects of people's lives, yet seem to do nothing to clear Queen Street and our other city streets of mattresses and sleepers," says Mr Goldsmith.

The committee has asked officers to look seriously at a solution to address the problem. This includes reviewing the council's existing Homelessness Plan to include greater intervention to address and reduce the level of homelessness.

"The number of people sleeping rough on the streets has increased in recent years. Recent surveys suggest there are up to 100 people are living rough on Auckland city's streets.

"We need to find a workable way to get people off the streets to improve the perception of safety within Auckland's public spaces," says Mr Goldsmith.

The council will be working in partnership with community organisations, corporate bodies and central government agencies already active in this area.

ENDS

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