MP calls out govt inaction on homelessness
Pausing a 41-home Kāinga Ora development on a cleared site in Carroll St, planned to be one and two-bed homes, was also a "real shame", he said.
Mr McAnulty also attended a meeting of leaders in Dunedin's housing sector yesterday, and said he had come away "incredibly heartened that they are doing whatever they possibly can — but there is a limit when the resourcing and support from central government is being progressively withdrawn".
He also applauded the business community for raising concerns, saying it showed recognition that everyonelost when homelessnessgrew. It led to crime, demand on the health system and
children being less likely to learn at school.
"Whether you look at it from a moral or economic perspective, it is bad news all round."
Night Shelter manager David McKenzie, who was at the meeting, said he did not think it was likely the minister would change his mind, but it had been "refreshing" to talk to Mr McAnulty.
"He was prepared to listen and understood the issues behind the obvious."
Presbyterian Support Otago general manager for Family Works Nicole Devereux said the scale of homelessness in Dunedin was underestimated by government.
"This means that we are disadvantaged when central government funding for housing support is considered."
At a Dunedin City Council meeting on Tuesday, a motion was carried that the Mayor Jules Radich write to Housing Minister Christopher Bishop, asking the government to reconsider funding the restoration of Aaron Lodge, the abandoned holiday park in Kaikorai Valley, to be temporary homeless accommodation with specialist care on site.
DCC principal housing adviser Gill Brown has a vision of achieving functional zero — more people coming out of homelessness than entering it.
A DCC spokesperson said the letter to the minister was being drafted.
mary.williams@odt.co.nz
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Otago Daily Times
5 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
MP calls out govt inaction on homelessness
Housing First, a government-funded, charity-run scheme that finds people permanent homes with continued wraparound support, was also part of the solution, but it had not yet made it to Dunedin, he said. Pausing a 41-home Kāinga Ora development on a cleared site in Carroll St, planned to be one and two-bed homes, was also a "real shame", he said. Mr McAnulty also attended a meeting of leaders in Dunedin's housing sector yesterday, and said he had come away "incredibly heartened that they are doing whatever they possibly can — but there is a limit when the resourcing and support from central government is being progressively withdrawn". He also applauded the business community for raising concerns, saying it showed recognition that everyonelost when homelessnessgrew. It led to crime, demand on the health system and children being less likely to learn at school. "Whether you look at it from a moral or economic perspective, it is bad news all round." Night Shelter manager David McKenzie, who was at the meeting, said he did not think it was likely the minister would change his mind, but it had been "refreshing" to talk to Mr McAnulty. "He was prepared to listen and understood the issues behind the obvious." Presbyterian Support Otago general manager for Family Works Nicole Devereux said the scale of homelessness in Dunedin was underestimated by government. "This means that we are disadvantaged when central government funding for housing support is considered." At a Dunedin City Council meeting on Tuesday, a motion was carried that the Mayor Jules Radich write to Housing Minister Christopher Bishop, asking the government to reconsider funding the restoration of Aaron Lodge, the abandoned holiday park in Kaikorai Valley, to be temporary homeless accommodation with specialist care on site. DCC principal housing adviser Gill Brown has a vision of achieving functional zero — more people coming out of homelessness than entering it. A DCC spokesperson said the letter to the minister was being drafted.
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