Homelessness on the increase. NZCEH calls on the government to show leadership now!

The NZCEH applauds Hagley-Ferrymead Community Board member Brenda Lowe- Johnson for attempting to bring the issue of housing plight to the attention of the politicians. “More and more kiwis are sleeping in their cars as the housing crisis grows and the cost of living continues to increase,” says Iris Pahau, Co- Chair of NZCEH.

The NZCEH is again asking the government to take a proactive stance and lead an inquiry into Homelessness. People sleeping in cars are just another example of the emerging problem of homelessness in New Zealand. The longer this issue is ignored the bigger it will become. Action needs to be taken now to start to address the issue. According to Corie Haddock Co-Chair of NZCEH “We are at a cross roads, there is a growing housing crisis in two of our largest cities and very little is being done to address it. The number of people sleeping in inappropriate accommodation continues to increase and their plight is being ignored.”

In February 2011 members of the NZCEH spoke to the Social Services Select Committee seeking a formal inquiry into homelessness. This request was declined and an inquiry into boarding houses was established instead. Looking at a small part of the problem won’t address homelessness. Denying there is an issue won’t make the problem go away. The longer we pretend the problem isn’t there the harder it is going to be to address.

The New Zealand Coalition to End Homelessness and other community agencies are ready to offer solutions, and to develop and put into practice a plan to end homelessness NOW.

The Government can’t address this issue on their own, they need the knowledge and expertise of the community agencies and we need their leadership and resourcing.

Homelessness can be ended, but without a commitment from all parties the issue will continue to grow.

ENDS

© Scoop Media