Homelessness on the increase. NZCEH calls on the government to show leadership now!
The NZCEH commends Maunkau East Labour MP Jenny Salesa recent efforts to bring the issue of families living in vechicles
and overcrowded housing in South Auckland to the publics attention “More and more kiwis are sleeping in their cars as
the housing crisis grows and the cost of living continues to increase. What does this say about as a country, when we
cannot house those most in need?” says Dr Shiloh Groot, Co- Chair of NZCEH.
The NZCEH is again asking the government to take a proactive stance and lead an inquiry into homelessness. People
sleeping in cars is just another example of the emerging problem of homelessness in New Zealand. The longer this issue
is ignored the bigger it will become. Action needs to be taken now to address the issue. According to Corie Haddock,
Co-Chair of NZCEH “We are at a cross roads, there is a growing housing crisis in two of our largest cities and very
little is being done to address it. The number of people sleeping in substandard accommodation continues to increase and
their plight is being ignored.”
The New Zealand Coalition to End Homelessness and other community agencies are ready to offer solutions, and to develop
and put into practice a plan to end homelessness NOW.
The Government can’t address this issue on their own, they need the knowledge and expertise of the various homelessness
agencies that support people and we need their leadership and resourcing.
Homelessness can be resolved, but without a commitment from all parties the issue will continue to grow.
ENDS