Fifty people who faced the first weeks of lockdown surviving without shelter in Northland have been connected with accommodation as part of a nationwide effort to ensure all New Zealanders are as safe as possible.

155 Community House CEO Liz Cassidy-Nelson says the lockdown has been particularly testing for Taitokerau’s homeless.

“They were in survival mode, living in inhabitable conditions but doing their best to make it a home,” she says.

Until now, those experiencing homelessness relied on the 155 Open Arms Day Centre in Whangarei to meet their basic necessities; food, showers and clothes-washing facilities.

News of the accommodation, which is available at four motels across the region, was received with relief and joy by the new guests, says Cassidy-Nelson.

“They are relieved to have somewhere safe to sleep at night, and so appreciative knowing their Government cares about them.”

She says one hadn’t sat or slept on a bed for six months, another 78-year-old who was living in a tent was completely lost for words and offered her a hug “if he could”.

Finding shelter for the country’s homeless has been an ongoing, multi-organisational effort between housing providers, iwi and Māori organisations, local government and social services.

As of Thursday, 962 motel units nationwide had been secured and made available, with 496 units already accommodating homeless and vulnerable people.

In Whangarei the effort involved Kāinga Pūmanawa, the collective of 155, Ngāti Hine Health Trust, Kāhui Tū Kaha.

While the accommodation will be available for up to three months, Cassidy-Nelson says there is still a lot of work to be done during lockdown and beyond.

“We are continuing to place rough sleepers into accommodation, and providing food where we can.

“Obviously this relief is temporary but we want to be part of the solution, which is why we’re working to find transitional housing for these people once the lockdown ends.”

© Scoop Media