South Auckland charities are uniting to tackle youth homelessness with youth-led and Indigenous solutions.
Auckland Council has asked the Government for help after a 53% rise in rough sleepers—from 426 in September 2024 to 653 in January.
Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka announced back then that 80% of people leaving emergency housing were moving into stable accommodation.
This month, Mā Te Huruhuru and Manaaki Rangatahi will host a community event to share insights and develop a Youth Emergency Housing Crisis Plan.
Mā Te Huruhuru CEO Māhera Maihi says they are working toward Māori-led solutions with their two youth transitional housing units in Ōtāhuhu and Ihumātao.
They’ve studied global approaches in Canada, Hawaii, and New York to improve local strategies.
“So all of things I’ve got in my head, and I’m like ‘, okay we need to do something about it’. So we are calling on whānau, people who are interested to come along, share your knowledge, share your insights and let’s put a plan together. Let’s put a plan together to prevent and end youth homelessness once and for all in Aotearoa,” says Maihi.
The event will be on 28 March in Māngere.
