Auckland Mayor welcomes extra funding to tackle homelessness

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff has welcomed the Government’s announcement of more funding to tackle homelessness.

“Since launching Housing First, Auckland Council and a collective of five agencies have housed 922 people, including 436 children, who were homeless. This extra funding will mean we can provide more homes for those who need them the most,” Phil Goff said.

Auckland Council adopted the Housing First model in 2016 following an election promise by Mayor Goff. Government started providing assistance for the programme in 2017.

“The Housing First model has proven to be successful in Auckland, with the overwhelming majority of people remaining in the homes they were provided, but we can always do more,” said Phil Goff.

“The Housing First model works because it first provides a home and then wraps around the support services people need. This helps address issues such as mental health and addiction which are often the root cause of homelessness.

“Homelessness is a growing problem in Auckland, with last year’s homelessness count estimating that around 800 people in the region are living without shelter, on the street or in cars, with thousands more in temporary accommodation.

“I’d like to see a significant amount of the funding announced today come to Auckland where we have the most need.

“Homelessness is unacceptable in any society. There is a huge social cost and extra funding provided by Government means that we can do more to tackle and eliminate homelessness in Auckland.”

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