Twice as many homeless in Wellington

Stuff reports:

2020 was meant to be the year that homelessness ended in Wellington. 

But despite an ambitious multi-agency plan, advocates say the problem is getting worse every year. 

The Wellington City Council Te Mahana homelessness strategy was launched in 2014 with the goal of eliminating homelessness by 2020. 

But ever since it began, the plan has been handicapped by a lack of available houses. 

“It’s a crisis of very significant proportion,” said Stephanie McIntyre, of Downtown Community Ministry. “It’s worse than last year, it’s a worsening situation every year.”

“We thought we had a significant issue in 2014, but its much worse now.”

DCM reported 151 rough sleepers seeking help in 2015, a number which is closer to 300 now. 

How which Government leader pledged to eliminate homelessness? Who knew, that meant doubt the numbers.

The Ministry of Social Development handed out $560,889 in emergency housing grants in 2018. That number more than tripled to nearly $1.9 million  in 2019. 

Sounds like they’re on top of it eh.