October 10, 2016
Raft of issues underpins homeless struggle
Maori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell says he’s struggling to find an answer to ending homelessness.
It’s World Homeless Day, and the homeless, those working with them and even a few politicians were at Aotea Square in Auckland today to mark the event.
Mr Flavell says it’s a problem that has been around for a while, but the initiative of Te Puea and other marae over the winter have increased awareness.
He says many whanau put up with substandard living conditions and high rents because they have nowhere else to go.
"So it’s got a number of dimensions to it, in some cases to do with social issues people have to deal with, mental issues they have to deal with, they've got whanau circumstances, financial circumstances, all of which come to the party so to highlight on the issues of homelessness is good. The key issue is what we are going to do about it and that’s where we struggle," Mr Flavell says.
He says he can’t control the market, but through Te Puni Kokiri’s Maori Housing Network he can try to have some input into policy.
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