STATEMENT
6 July 2018

Rotorua Lakes Council has not closed a drop-in centre for the city’s homeless community.

Council continues to work with Tiny Deane from Visions of a Helping Hand, who is operating an overnight drop-in shelter.

Kaiwhakahaere Māori (Group Manager Māori), Gina Rangi, says Council believes in the work Mr Deane is doing.

“We fully support the mahi (work) he is doing and his commitment to helping the city’s most vulnerable. We have been working with Tiny Deane for some time to support his efforts to establish emergency housing and an overnight facility.

“What we have continuously reiterated to him is that the building needs to meet fire and earthquake safety standards because we are dealing with people’s safety and their lives. If people are going to be sleeping in this building it needs to meet safety standards. It would be irresponsible for us to jeopardise the life of anyone in our community.

“Staff have been working with the building owner’s representative to progress reports on these issues. We have also met with Mr Deane today and will continue work with him.”

Ms Rangi says Council’s kaupapa (focus) has always been to find appropriate solutions to address homelessness in Rotorua.

See Council’s previous statement about this here.

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