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Māori social service supports Government commitment to end homelessness

CEO Ali Hamlin-Paenga Ngati Kahungunu ki Poneke Whānau Services agrees with Prime Minister Jacinda Arden that there should be no homelessness in our country.

As a lead provider of services that support the homeless in Wellington central we welcome the opportunity to be a part of the Housing First programme. This investment highlights the ongoing commitment this government has to our most vulnerable communities.

Today’s announcement provides a clear directive for all organisations who want to be a part of a collective effort to address homelessness in our society to engage with MSD.

This announcement comes at a time when MSD have been called upon to make culture changes to their services to ensure that all people receive what they are entitled too and eliminate the internal barriers to access that have been experienced nationally.

What will also be significant to the success of this programme will be an understanding of “cultural homelessness”. It is important for this to be considered within the delivery of this programme and Hamlin-Paenga looks forward to supporting the cultural dimension needed. Hamlin-Paenga acknowledges that a collective effort of all is required and MSD must ensure that their response is conducive to the wellbeing of whānau.

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