Recently the mayor called a meeting of people either involved or concerned about homelessness in Christchurch. There is no simple answer to homelessness as where we are at has taken a long time to develop.
There has been considerable public discussion around NZ about homelessness…
- ‘Heartbreaking’: Pensioners, children sleeping rough in Christchurch’s red zone | Stuff
- People of Kāinga Ora: The big state housing sell-down – Newsroom
- Why homelessness is worse under this government: a story in 10 graphs | The Spinoff
Before any housing solutions are developed in Christchurch for the homeless the agencies currently supporting these people need to initiate a forum for those who are homeless to have input into the solutions which this city finally promotes.
In my opinion this government is the most heartless towards the disadvantaged in our community I have witnessed in my life. Staff in government departments are placed in the unenviable position of implementing policies which are quite frankly disgusting. This graph demonstrates just what’s happening in Auckland right now:
Too often the government requires the police to clear streets. Put yourself in the shoes of these police officers. They will know that this person, for a variety of reasons, has nowhere to go. Sleeping on cold tiles in winter is something nobody in a decent society should have to experience.
Christchurch homelessness is not seen by central government as being an issue. To date, there have been no additional resources handed to this city to assist those working with our homeless community. This government cancelled all the Kainga Ora housing developments planned for this city by the last government. Those who are homeless residing on our streets reflect there’s just not enough homes for them.
Christchurch isn’t on its own with the challenge of homeless people freezing in shopfronts. This week Dave Armstrong wrote in the Post: A week of walking through Wellington’s housing crisis | The Post
Yay! The Wellington City Council is going to do something about the significant rise in homelessness in Newtown. As a resident concerned at the plight of the homeless, and its effect on the community, I am delighted. I read the council measures: upgrading lighting, installing CCTV cameras, graffiti and litter removal, painted boundary lines around high-risk ATMs, and public needle disposal bins.
All very well, but none of these measures actually help the homeless – they are designed to help the rest of the community better cope with the problem. Other measures include agencies walking the streets, business-led evening lighting activations, hui for neighbourhood safety, community clean-ups, and shop front safety upgrades. Sorry guys, well-intentioned perhaps, but these things won’t reduce homelessness. They will simply make it harder for people to sleep rough while making the rest of the community feel better.
In my experience, the thing that best reduces homelessness is homes. Some good measures that are supported by the council include supportive guardianship, and drug harm and addiction services. But the problem is not the council’s alone, and they should be way more supported by central government.
He then continues:
I read that the number of applications granted by government for emergency housing has plummeted. They cite “basic personal responsibility” as the reason for their hard-line approach. Even though the total number of applications has dropped – something that’s been happening for many years – the number of applications being turned down has risen.
“Emergency housing remains available as a last-resort, short-term option for those in genuine need,” says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka.
Trouble is, “you have caused or contributed to your immediate need” is a new reason for declining housing, and numbers for that category have gone through the roof since being introduced a year ago – except that no-one has a roof.
We have a housing crisis which has been long coming. The time for sitting on our hands is over. We need action and we need it now. So, what could we do as a city famous for its commitment to social justice? Here are some suggestions:
- Develop a 30–50-year housing plan for Christchurch. Should we reconsider our current local body boundaries when addressing long term housing needs?
- Community agencies to establish a forum where those who are currently homeless are involved in just what solution will be provided for them.
- Local agencies currently supporting the homeless must define a local solution which challenges central government politicians to acknowledge our issues down here and for government to fund the resources necessary to achieve a decent level of support.
- The council must identify available land that they own and place 100-year covenants on theses sites and make them available lease free for community housing providers to build safe warm housing.
- The community housing sector and CCC must work to design housing units which can be mass produced quickly in association with building companies. It would be preferable for there to be one simple constructed building model to ensure that time is not lost with numerous designs complicating the urgency of this operation.
- Community housing providers must identify the comprehensive support structures they can provide for those most vulnerable in housing in our community. It is essential that there be a range of agencies who supply for those currently homeless.
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