Homelessness Action Plan progress update

Published 10 Sept 20

Phase one of the Aotearoa New Zealand Homelessness Action Plan (2020-2023) is underway.

Under the plan there is currently 18 immediate actions being rolled out to prevent and reduce homelessness.

The plan provides a framework for partnering with Iwi, hapū, marae and Māori organisations, housing service providers, local authorities and people with lived experience of homelessness.

During the COVID-19 lockdowns these relationships provided an opportunity to quickly respond and provide support to people who urgently needed housing.

Key developments

The response to Māori homelessness has been accelerated. Financial support is being provided to Māori providers and Iwi and Māori partners for housing services in response to COVID-19.
The He Taupua fund has opened for projects aimed at building the capability of whānau trusts, Ahuwhenua trusts, hapū, iwi, and registered Māori housing providers to deliver kaupapa Māori approaches that assist whānau experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity.
The Local Innovation and Partnership Fund has been launched. It supports partnerships of local initiatives to respond to and prevent homelessness.
The supply of transitional housing, although impacted by COVID-19, continues to increase with over 560 places secured.
The number of Sustaining Tenancy places has been increased by 600 places - up from 1,550 places to 2,150.
MSD has implemented a new system of Intensive Case Managers, Navigators and Housing Brokers to support people in emergency housing.

Find out more about progress on the Aotearoa New Zealand Homelessness Action Plan.