Fight against homelessness expands into Christchurch and Tauranga

The Housing First model is focussed is an internationally recognised approach to working with people who have been homeless for a long time. It places them into long-term housing immediately with no readiness conditions and then provides support services to help address issues such as mental health and substance abuse, so they can stay in their home.

“This approach to ending homelessness is working in Auckland. A pilot has been running in the city since March 2017, and so far, 176 Housing First participants have been placed into secure and stable accommodation,” stated Ms Salesa.

The Christchurch proposal is a collaboration model led by Christchurch Methodist Mission, in co-ordination with Comcare, Emerge Aotearoa and Ōtautahi Community Housing Trust.”

“The People’s Project Tauranga, a subsidiary of the Wise Group, was chosen as the successful provider in Tauranga. The Wise Group is a family of charitable organisations and one of the largest providers in the New Zealand mental health and addiction sector.

“There will be 100 places available in each city for chronically homeless people urgently in need of help,” says Ms Salesa.

More information on the Housing First pilot in Auckland is available here: https://www.housingfirst.co.nz/