Key Takeaways:
- Over 900 people were found to be homeless in Auckland, with the number more than doubling in the past year.
- Homelessness in Auckland is not limited to the city center, but is also prevalent in suburban areas, with people living in cars, abandoned buildings, and couch surfing.
- Experts are calling for more funding to research the true extent of homelessness in Auckland and to provide support services for those in need.
- The government is considering introducing move-on orders to get rough sleepers out of the CBD, but critics argue that this will only push the problem to other areas.
- Welfare changes, such as benefit sanctions and tighter emergency housing criteria, have worsened hardship for many people, leading to increased homelessness.
Introduction to Homelessness in Auckland
Homelessness in Auckland has become a growing concern, with a recent audit by the Auckland Council finding over 900 people living without shelter in the city. This number has more than doubled in the past year, with many people struggling to find affordable housing and forced to live in cars, abandoned buildings, or couch surf with friends and family. The issue of homelessness is not limited to the city center, but is also prevalent in suburban areas, where people are often isolated and far from support networks.
The Reality of Homelessness in Suburban Areas
In suburban areas such as Onehunga, people are living in their cars, with some even holding down full-time jobs but unable to afford rent. One man, who wished to remain anonymous, spoke to Checkpoint about his experience living in his car. He said it was a difficult and isolating experience, but one that he preferred to paying rent. He had been living in his car for about a year and was struggling to find stable employment due to his criminal record. The man’s story is not unique, with many people in suburban areas struggling to make ends meet and forced to live in precarious and unstable conditions.
The Impact of Homelessness on Families
Homelessness is not just an individual issue, but also affects families and children. Auckland Councillor Josephine Bartley spoke about a family of four who were living in an abandoned house in Onehunga. The family would sneak into the house at night, as they had nowhere else to go. This story highlights the desperate situation that many families are facing, with limited access to affordable housing and support services. Kildare Peterson, who has been supporting rough sleepers for several years, said that many families are forced to choose between paying rent and feeding their children, with some opting to live on the streets or in their cars instead.
The Need for Research and Funding
Professor Deidre Brown, a director of MPIHI, the Māori and Pacific Housing Research Centre, said that more research is needed to understand the true extent of homelessness in Auckland. The hidden nature of homelessness, with people couch surfing or living in garages, makes it difficult to accurately measure the problem. However, Brown said that there is currently a lack of funding for research, which makes it difficult to make informed decisions about housing provision. The National Homelessness Data Project, which was created by The Salvation Army and Community Housing Aotearoa, found that homelessness in Auckland has more than doubled in the past year, with 940 people living without shelter.
The Impact of Welfare Changes
Welfare changes, such as benefit sanctions and tighter emergency housing criteria, have worsened hardship for many people, leading to increased homelessness. A report by the Citizens Advice Bureau found that people are losing the cars they live in and are struggling to meet basic living costs. The report calls for the welfare system to accommodate the complexity of people’s real-life circumstances and to treat people with dignity. The government has announced some measures to address homelessness, including funding for additional social homes and support services, but critics argue that more needs to be done to address the root causes of the problem.
Conclusion and Future Directions
The issue of homelessness in Auckland is complex and multifaceted, requiring a comprehensive and coordinated response. While the government has announced some measures to address the problem, more needs to be done to provide support services and affordable housing for those in need. The introduction of move-on orders for rough sleepers in the CBD is likely to only push the problem to other areas, rather than addressing the underlying causes of homelessness. Instead, the government should focus on providing funding for research and support services, as well as increasing the supply of affordable housing, to help address the growing issue of homelessness in Auckland.