Auckland's homeless count finds 336 'unsheltered' but total estimated to be 800

October 9, 2018

Those sleeping rough in the city tonight can expect to have some visitors drop by.

Auckland’s Homeless Count found 336 people experiencing unsheltered homelessness across Auckland on September 17, but the actual number is estimated to be about 800. 

The 336 were all adults with 179 of them sleeping rough and 157 sleeping in cars, according to results of the survey of unsheltered homelessness and people in temporary accommodation in Auckland, released today by Mayor Phil Goff.

The survey, funded by Auckland Council and implemented by the Housing First Auckland collective, was the first time a street count of this size and scale has been undertaken in New Zealand.

“Our goal is to end homelessness, not just manage it," Mr Goff said.

"Measuring the extent of homelessness in Auckland gives us the data we need to inform policy and services that will help solve this pressing issue." 

A validation exercise carried out during the 10 days following the count found that the 336 counted represents 40 per cent of the people who were in unsheltered homelessness on the night, said Fiona Hamilton, programme manager for Housing First Auckland.

Based on the street count, it's estimated there were approximately 800 people in unsheltered homelessness across Auckland on September 17, she said.

There were 1,027 people in Ministry of Social Development/Ministry of Housing and Urban Development-funded emergency housing, with Special Needs Grants. Of these people, 553 were children.

There were 1,847 people in transitional housing and other temporary housing services. Of these, 746 were children.

Hundreds of volunteers went out in groups of two or three to selected streets and areas across Auckland city - from Wellsford in the north, Waiuku in the south, Piha in the west, and towards Hunua in the east.

Volunteers counted and also asked people to participate in an anonymous survey, and two people sleeping on the street accessed emergency housing on the night.

Ms Hamilton said the initiative was not a comprehensive depiction of all homelessness in Auckland, but provided a snapshot of the minimum number of people experiencing unsheltered and temporary homelessness at one point in time.

She said the information will be used to inform policy, practice and resourcing at local and central government, and service levels. 

It will also provide a baseline to measure change over time, following any initiatives and programmes that are put in place, she said.

“Our understanding is that one of the first actions will be using this information to inform the regional, cross-sectoral homeless plan for Auckland, which Auckland Council is leading the development of.”

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