Media Release : Homelessness Think Tank : 10 October 2012

Call for compassion on World Homeless Day

Wellington’s Homelessness Think Tank is making a call for Wellingtonians to continue to mobilise for action to solve homelessness – based on becoming a more compassionate city.

“Our think tank meeting on Friday 5 October determined a raft of actions that can be taken to show that as concerned citizens we believe no one should ever be deprived of the right to adequate housing, no matter what their circumstances,” says organiser Barry Thomas.

“People who are currently experiencing homelessness, which occurs in many forms including overcrowding, were at the think tank, spoke on their own behalf and valued the opportunity to be heard and to listen to the ideas being raised (ably facilitated by Alanna Krause).

“We are very aware of the need for a long term commitment to finding solutions and that gaining any traction will require creative thinking. Rather than being a subject of fear or being pushed to the margins, homelessness is something we should all take to heart and be motivated to change.

“Ian Cassels of the Wellington Company is certainly an example of someone in a position to do something and who is motivated to make a change through ideas such as renovating buildings to create more social and community housing. Other ideas discussed by the think tank include establishing a database of empty houses or spaces for temporary or emergency housing,” says Barry Thomas.

“Collectively speaking, the key has to be to speak out loudly on this. This is more than a temporary crisis, because the tension around affordable housing is something we all face. There will be more collective action on this for sure – watch this space!”.

ENDS

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