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Manurewa Marae played host to 28 families last night in the first night of its Whakapiki Ora homeless programme.
Spokesperson Rangi McLean says there is room in the wharenui to sleep almost 100 people.
There are five portacabins on the marae grounds for families receiving more intensive services as they seek permanent accommodation, and there’s also room made for 10 single men, which the marae has identified is a significant group among the homeless.
He says Manurewa is picking up from what was done at Mangere’s Te Puea Marae with some important differences.
"We won’t (have a) deluge of people all at once so we are going through a registration period. A panel has a look at all families to assess what level of help they require. That's how we will structure our programme over the next 12 weeks," Mr McLean says.
The marae is already half way to getting the $200,000 budget for the programme, including a $400 donation raised by six young women at the CYFS residential facility in Wiri through the sale of baking to staff.
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