Whangārei homeless camp: Man moves back to Old Boys’ as housing unsuitable

Résumé détaillé

Jay Andrews, an advocate from the Jesus is Lord Barbershop which helps feed the homeless, says emergency housing being offered to Old Boys' residents is not suitable. Photo /…

Jay Andrews, an advocate from the Jesus is Lord Barbershop which helps feed the homeless, says emergency housing being offered to Old Boys' residents is not suitable. Photo / Denise Piper

Agencies have no idea how difficult it is to find a solution to homelessness, according to an advocate for rough sleepers living at Whangārei’s former Old Boys’ Rugby and Sports Club.

After camping at the Port Rd site for years, the eight or nine residents were given move-on orders by Whangārei District Council, which manages the land.

After an initial 10-day deadline, the notices were extended until November 20 to give residents time to engage with agencies and find alternative arrangements.

The council, primary health organisation Mahitahi Hauora and police issued a joint press release on Thursday saying positive progress was being made at the site.

Most people previously staying at Old Boys’ have engaged with agencies and are moving into alternative housing, the release said.

But Jay Andrews, an advocate for the whānau living at Old Boys’, said there was a lack of understanding about issues faced by the rough sleepers.

While she agreed several residents had moved into emergency housing, one had already moved back to Old Boys’ because he was isolated from support in his new home.

The home, in the suburbs of Whangārei, was being renovated and did not have running water, Andrews alleged.

Début de l'article, extrait de NZ Herald Business. Pour lire la suite, ouvrez l'article chez le média.