The growing rate of homelessness in Wellington was the topic of the Social Change Collective’s debut event. We were privileged to have four brilliant speakers, who provided us with an insight into the state of homelessness in Wellington and where this fits within the broader housing crisis facing New Zealand.
Dr Kate Amore is a Research Fellow with He Kainga Oranga Housing and Health Research Programme through the University of Otago and is also an emergency doctor. She spoke about the research that is being conducted into homelessness and what is behind the statistics. Dr Amore was followed by Karen Holland, the Manager of the Soup Kitchen, a Wellington charity that offers meals, one-to-one advocacy and help with assessing housing and other support services. Karen talked about her experience of working in the sector and shared some poems written by some of the Soup Kitchen’s visitor, or taonga. Alison Cadman, Dwell Housing Trust’s Chief Executive then spoke about social housing, and helped to situate the growing rate of homelessness within the housing crisis in general. She also emphasised the need for new and innovative solutions to providing housing. Finally, Paul Eagle, Wellington Deputy-Mayor and 2017 Labour Candidate spoke about the council’s position on homelessness and what more needs to be done. Implicit in this was the role of the government and how the Council is filling the gap.
After an extensive Q & A with the speakers, action points we could take were proposed.
A C T I O N S
Dwell Housing Trust Board of Trustees Internship
This internship provides a platform for an individual to contribute at a governance level to this incredible organisation. Dwell is particular excited about having a millennials perspective on the Board, as young people are disproportionately affected by the housing crisis.
POSITION HAS BEEN FILLED
Special Circumstances Court Report
To go through the Special Circumstances Court, the offender must have pleaded guilty, cannot be charged with anything very serious and must have an identifiable need (for example addiction, mental health, accommodation) and the person must also be motivated to change. Those working in the Court then connect the client with the appropriate agency to identify rehabilitation and treatment routes.
The Special Circumstances Court would like a report analysing the success of the Court to date.
PROJECT HAS BEEN COMPLETED