What is homelessness?
Our definition
The People’s Project uses the Statistics New Zealand definition of homelessness.
Living situations where people with no other options to acquire safe and secure housing: are without shelter, in temporary accommodation, sharing accommodation with a household or living in uninhabitable housing.
For some people, homelessness means sleeping rough on the street or living in cars, or in temporary or emergency housing. For others it might mean couch-surfing, campgrounds, sleeping in overcrowded properties, or unsuitable or unhealthy dwellings such as garages.
Why are people homeless?
There are many pathways into homelessness and everybody has a different, and often, complex story.
Someone’s situation may change due to events in their lives, such as losing a job, the end of a relationship or tenancy, or a health issue. It can be tough to find a new place to live due to the lack of affordable housing, the increasing costs of living, debts, or discrimination.
Myths about homelessness
Don’t people choose to be homeless?
We have not met anyone experiencing homelessness who wanted to live on the street. Living on the street can be dangerous. People experiencing homelessness could be abused and attacked, discriminated against and alienated. They are often sleep-deprived, under-nourished, and have health challenges. It’s cold and uncomfortable living on the street or in a vehicle. Many may be there because they simply cannot see another way of dealing with things. We know many of the people we support have tried repeatedly to get assistance to help change their situation. Many have lost hope.
We know every one of the people we work with wants a home and most want to get back to work.
Don’t people need an address to get a benefit?
Every person correctly registered with Work and Income can receive a benefit, even if they are experiencing homelessness.
Are all people who beg homeless?
Worldwide it is recognised that most people who beg are not homeless. In the communities we work in, we can confidently say many people seen begging are not homeless. There are many reasons why people beg.
If you want to assist, consider donating to a social service that provides support to people experiencing homelessness.
Homelessness can’t be fixed, can it?
There are communities worldwide who are close to ending homelessness. They have done this by adopting a Housing First Model and focusing on ending homelessness rather than managing it. They have done this by collaborating across communities and co-ordinating community resources – most of which already existed. Worldwide, developing a stock of safe, affordable housing has been key to success.
But we know housing alone won’t solve homelessness. Specialist support may be needed for some people to sustain tenancies and to thrive in their communities.
Noticed someone sleeping rough or in their car?
