August 09, 2016
Resource consent to house homeless
As Te Puea Marae winds down its winter homeless programme, Manurewa Marae is getting ready to take up the challenge.
Chair Rangi McLean says the kitchen has been upgraded, resource consent has been received for the five portahomes placed on the marae grounds, and volunteers are being organised.
The priority is to provide temporary shelter for the handful of whanau still at Te Puea awaiting permanent placements, but the marae has been assessing the needs of the homeless in its own community.
He says a recent visit to Mountford Park identified 28 families sleeping in cars.
Mr McLean says he’s disappointed central and local government agencies have been so slow to develop their own responses to homelessness.
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