The Green Party says the Government’s latest homelessness funding announcement falls far short of what is needed to address what it describes as the worst homelessness crisis in New Zealand’s history.
Housing spokesperson Tamatha Paul says tens of thousands of people are currently experiencing homelessness, including an estimated 57,000 women, while half of all homeless people are under the age of 24.
The party argues that despite growing demand for support services, the Government’s response has been inadequate and disconnected from the scale of the problem facing communities across the country.
Paul points to increasing pressure on Housing First providers, with waitlists continuing to grow while a significant number of emergency housing applications are being declined. Community organisations working on the frontline have reported unprecedented levels of homelessness, with many struggling to meet demand.
The Green Party says community providers already have the knowledge and capability to reduce homelessness but are being held back by a lack of sustained funding and support.
The party is also critical of the Government’s approach to public safety and homelessness, arguing that legislative measures such as proposed Move-On Orders focus on enforcement rather than addressing the root causes of housing insecurity.
A key part of the Greens’ response is support for the Duty to Assist Bill, currently on Parliament’s order paper under the name of former Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson. The proposed legislation would ensure young people leaving state care have access to secure housing and support services.
The Greens say this is particularly important given the high proportion of young people experiencing homelessness and the risks they face of becoming trapped in cycles of poverty, instability and contact with the criminal justice system.
The party says homelessness continues to rise in Wellington and other urban centres despite strong support from community organisations ready to provide housing and wraparound care.
The Green Party is calling on other political parties to back the Duty to Assist Bill and has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding Housing First programmes and increasing the supply of public housing to eliminate the social housing waitlist.
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