Homelessness - the invisible housing problem

People without a home are largely invisible in the debate around housing in New Zealand. It is estimated that there are around 42,000 people moving between temporary and insecure accommodation such as garages, garden sheds, cars and caravan parks. Night shelters, emergency housing, refuges – these are the places where NZ homeless seek some sort of shelter. The people sleeping rough or on the streets are only a fraction of the homeless. It is a problem affecting both urban and rural areas, large cities and small towns. Many of the homeless are young people and include women and their children fleeing domestic violence. Dr Kate Amore works with He Kainga Oranga/Housing & Health Research Programme at University of Otago, Wellington. She mainly produces national severe housing deprivation (homelessness) statistics, and has researched a variety of homelessness-related issues. Rev Tric Malcolm is the Wellington City Missioner.