August 29, 2016
Two events from homelessness
Green MP Marama Davidson says a cross party inquiry is uncovering how close many New Zealanders are to becoming homeless.
The inquiry which is backed by the Greens, Labour and the Maori Party, held hearings last week at Mangere’s Te Puea Marae and in Christchurch.
Ms Davidson says it’s clear there are not enough houses to rent, not enough emergency housing, and the services that people need are underfunded and ill coordinated.
Christchurch submitters were particularly strong on how homelessness needed to include anyone in an insecure state of housing, and on the risks to secure housing.
"Not enough homes, rent far too high, we should be putting a ban on non-resident owners, we have been selling off our state homes, and the high living cost situation means, we have been hearing submissions from people, is it only took one or two events to push people into homeless situations like crowding out with whanau, living in garages, living in cars, advertising for a driveway to pay rent for, Ms Davidson says.
She says the Government has failed to show leadership.
The inquiry is in Tauranga today, Kaitaia on Wednesday, with the final hearing in Wellington next Monday.
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