Homelessness response extended to six additional locations

Published 17 Jun 26

The Government is boosting short-term homelessness response support services in Tauranga, Whakatāne, New Plymouth, Napier, Waimakariri and Whanganui, while also extending funding for effective initiatives in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Hamilton.

These additional locations have been selected based on evidence from the Homelessness Insights Report and local insights that show clear unmet need and rising visible homelessness.

Boosting support services in these regions is a short-term response that can be implemented quickly, alongside ongoing longer-term housing system work.

On top of $10 million of funding announced last year for locally led solutions, the short-term response is backed by a further $14.5 million funding to respond to local need, improve coordination, and help people experiencing homelessness connect to services and move toward stable housing.

The Government has already agreed to continue successful short-term measures in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch. Funding for these programmes, particularly immediate access transitional housing, has shown early signs of impact for people living without shelter.

Homelessness insights reporting shows there continues to be people living without shelter and unmet housing and support needs in regions beyond the four main centres.

Further medium and long-term actions to help address homelessness and its systemic drivers are also being considered through the Review of Social Housing and Going for Housing Growth.

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