Key Takeaways
- Homelessness is a growing issue in Tauranga’s CBD, with businesses reporting aggressive encounters and disruption.
- Many businesses have experienced problems with homeless people, including vandalism, break-ins, and aggressive behavior.
- The issue is complex and requires a multi-agency approach, involving government agencies, community groups, and social services.
- The rise in homelessness is attributed to a range of factors, including the increasing cost of living, lack of affordable housing, and mental health and addiction challenges.
- Community organizations and government agencies are working together to provide support and services to those in need, but more needs to be done to address the root causes of homelessness.
Introduction to the Issue
The Bay of Plenty Times has spoken to numerous CBD businesses in Tauranga, and many have reported experiencing aggressive encounters and disruption due to the growing number of homeless people in the area. Business owners have expressed frustration and concern about the impact of homelessness on their businesses and the overall safety and attractiveness of the CBD. The issue is complex and multifaceted, with many underlying factors contributing to the rise in homelessness.
Business Owners’ Experiences
Penny Henderson, owner of The Pottery Studio, reported that her business had moved from Devonport Rd to 10th Ave in part due to issues caused by homeless people in the CBD. She described encounters with aggressive individuals who would shout and yell, and even had one incident where a person became angry and started kicking things outside her business. Other business owners, such as Josh Fitzgerald, owner of Barrio Brothers and Sugo, and Dani Sheridan, owner of Tranquillo Beauty Clinic, have also reported similar experiences. Fitzgerald stated that the homelessness situation was not helping to make the CBD a more attractive place, and that belongings were scattered all through the public space, with some individuals even setting up full campsites.
Impact on Businesses and Community
The issue of homelessness is having a significant impact on businesses and the community in Tauranga. Many business owners have reported feeling powerless to do anything about the situation, and some have even considered relocating their businesses. The problem is not only affecting businesses but also the overall safety and attractiveness of the CBD. Customers have reported feeling intimidated by the presence of homeless people, and some have even avoided visiting the area altogether. The issue is also having a broader impact on the community, with many people feeling frustrated and concerned about the lack of action being taken to address the problem.
Causes of Homelessness
The rise in homelessness in Tauranga is attributed to a range of factors, including the increasing cost of living, lack of affordable housing, and mental health and addiction challenges. Ani Stace, strategic partnership and funding manager for Under the Stars, a charitable trust that provides free meals for homeless and needy people, stated that getting into state housing was extremely difficult, with long waiting lists and extra hurdles for people with criminal records. She emphasized the importance of realizing that everyone has a story and that many people living rough in the CBD were not equipped to move into housing due to unresolved trauma and layers of issues.
Community Response
Community organizations and government agencies are working together to provide support and services to those in need. Downtown Tauranga manager Genevieve Whitson stated that the organization worked with the council and police to tackle homelessness-related issues, and that the council’s City Safety Engagement Team had been doing an excellent job of helping address homelessness issues. The Tauranga City Council has also reported an increase in homelessness-related complaints, with 706 complaints received in 2024/25, largely related to welfare concerns, rough sleeping in public spaces, and antisocial behavior around shopfronts.
Government Response
The government has announced additional funding for housing first, transitional housing, and outreach services, which has been welcomed by the sector. However, more needs to be done to address the root causes of homelessness, including providing more affordable housing with appropriate support. Community Housing Aotearoa policy and practice manager Amanda Kelly stated that addressing homelessness required recognizing that it was not just about housing, but about health, addiction, trauma, and poverty. The Ministry of Social Development has also reported that it is working alongside agencies to support a coordinated response to housing hardship, and that the ministry’s housing register had 660 applicants in Tauranga on the waiting list for public housing in September.
Conclusion
The issue of homelessness in Tauranga’s CBD is complex and multifaceted, requiring a comprehensive and coordinated response from government agencies, community groups, and social services. While there are many underlying factors contributing to the rise in homelessness, it is clear that more needs to be done to address the root causes of the problem. By working together and providing support and services to those in need, it is possible to make a positive impact and create a safer and more attractive CBD for everyone.