Homelessness Outlook
- Introducing the Homelessness Outlook
- Indicators of Homelessness
- Events Influencing Homelessness
- Glossary for the Homelessness Outlook
About the indicators of homelessness
The indicators of homelessness present information across a broad range of areas important for understanding homelessness. We use the New Zealand definition of homelessness(external link).
This information includes data about:
- who and how many people are estimated to be experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness
- the supply, uptake and demand for housing services
- housing affordability and
- additional factors related to homelessness.
Where data is available, we report figures for the total population, Māori, Pacific peoples, and by region. More detailed information about the indicators, including reporting metrics and data sources, are available here (XLSX, 127 KB).
How we developed these indicators
The indicators of homelessness were developed by HUD with input from other government agencies and others working in the homelessness and housing sectors. These indicators will continue to evolve as new data becomes available. Where possible, future versions will also include trends over time and more in-depth regional and demographic information (e.g., for disabled people, youth, the rainbow community).
We have also identified limitations with existing data and areas where there is currently no data available. These limitations and information gaps reflect opportunities to work with the wider sector to improve the data available.
Guide to the indicators
-
For more information about terms used throughout the Homelessness Outlook, please see the Glossary.
Indicator title
Indicator definition
Population experiencing homelessness
Total population experiencing homelessness
Overall number of people estimated to be experiencing homelessness. This indicator helps us understand the extent of homelessness in Aotearoa.
Population living without shelter
This is one of four categories of homelessness that estimates the number of people living without shelter. This indicator provides information about those living as 'rough sleepers' or in improvised or mobile dwellings.
Population living in temporary accommodation
This is one of four categories of homelessness that estimates the number of people living in temporary accommodation. This indicator provides information about those living in different types of emergency and transitional housing.
Population sharing accommodation
This is one of four categories of homelessness that estimates the number of people sharing accommodation in a severely overcrowded dwelling. This indicator provides information about those temporarily sharing accommodation in dwellings that are severely overcrowded.
Population in uninhabitable housing
This is one of four categories of homelessness that estimates the number of people living in housing that lacks one or more basic amenities. This indicator provides information about those in dwellings without basic features like electricity or a toilet.
Supply, uptake and demand for housing services
Unmet need for public housing
Number of applicants on the Housing Register. This indicator reports the number of households waiting to be housed in public housing. This indicator helps us to understand populations and regions where urgent housing need is not currently being met.
Time to house from Housing Register
The median number of days to house an applicant from the Housing Register. This indicator provides information about the length of time it takes to house applicants in public housing. This helps us understand how efficiently the system is working to support people experiencing or at risk of homelessness into longer-term accommodation.
Turnaway rate
The number of people seeking housing through a housing service compared to the number of those who can be accommodated. This indicator helps us understand more about the extent of unmet demand for housing services which help prevent and decrease homelessness.
Supply of public housing
Number of public houses in New Zealand. This indicator tells us about our current supply of government-funded public housing. An adequate supply of affordable and secure housing is critical for preventing and responding to homelessness.
Uptake of government-funded temporary accommodation
Number of households in government-funded temporary accommodation. This indicator helps us understand uptake of different accommodation options offered by the Government's housing programme to support households into long-term housing.
Uptake of government-funded responses to homelessness
Number of households supported by a government-funded response to homelessness (e.g Housing First). This indicator provides information about households accessing government-funded services to help prevent their potential entry or return to homelessness or support their exit from homelessness.
Housing affordability
Low-income households spending more than 30% of income on housing costs
Proportion of low-income households spending more than 30% of their disposable income on housing costs. This indicator provides information about households who are finding housing unaffordable and could be at potential risk of homelessness in the event of a shock or unexpected cost.
Low-income households spending more than 40% of income on housing costs
Proportion of low-income households spending more than 40% of their disposable income on housing costs. This indicator provides information about households who are finding housing unaffordable and could be at higher risk of homelessness in the event of a shock or unexpected cost.
Low-income households spending more than 50% of income on housing costs
Proportion of low-income households spending more than 50% of their disposable income on housing costs. This indicator provides information about households who are finding housing extremely unaffordable and are at higher risk of homelessness in the event of a shock or unexpected cost.
Perceived housing affordability
Proportion of households that perceive their housing costs as unaffordable. Households that perceive their housing as unaffordable could be at increased risk of homelessness in the event of a shock or unexpected cost.
Change in rental affordability
Twelve-month rate of change in rental affordability. This indicator tells us whether rental prices have become more or less affordable over time. Positive numbers mean increased affordability. Decreasing rental affordability may place more financial pressure on households and could increase households' risk of homelessness.
Perceived income adequacy
Proportion of households who perceive their household income as enough to meet their needs. This indicator helps us understand the extent to which households can cover everyday living expenses. Households with adequate incomes may be more resilient to shocks or unexpected costs, which may lower their risk of experiencing homelessness.
Additional factors related to homelessness
Place to stay
Proportion of people who can ask someone they know for a place to stay if they urgently need one. This indicator provides information about people's social connections that can help them avoid being without shelter.
Discrimination as a barrier to obtaining housing
Proportion of people who reported being discriminated against when trying to rent housing. This indicator provides information about one barrier people may face to obtaining accommodation. Discrimination can contribute to ongoing housing need and potential entries or returns into homelessness.
General experiences of discrimination
Proportion of people who reported experiencing discrimination. This indicator provides information about general experiences of discrimination that disadvantage some groups in our society. Discrimination can contribute to ongoing housing need and potential entries or returns into homelessness.
Population experiencing homelessness
-
Total population experiencing homelessness
Overall number of people estimated to be experiencing homelessness. This indicator helps us understand the extent of homelessness in Aotearoa.
Data source: Severe Housing Deprivation Estimates based on Census data, Stats NZ (2018).
NZ Total Count
102,123
Ethnicity
Proportion (%)
Māori
28.8
European
36.3
Pacific Peoples
22.6
Middle Eastern/Latin American/African
3.0
Asian
24.9
Other ethnicity
0.8
Region
Proportion (%)
Northland
5.5
Auckland
43.9
Waikato
8.9
Bay of Plenty
5.7
Gisborne
1.5
Hawke's Bay
4.7
Taranaki
1.6
Manawatu-Whanganui
5.1
Wellington
8.1
Nelson
0.8
Tasman
0.9
Marlborough
0.8
West Coast
0.8
Canterbury
7.3
Otago
3.1
Southland
1.3
-
Population living without shelter
This is one of four categories of homelessness that estimates the number of people living without shelter. This indicator provides information about people living as 'rough sleepers' or in improvised or mobile dwellings.
Data source: Severe Housing Deprivation Estimates based on Census data, Stats NZ (2018).
NZ Total Count
3,624
Ethnicity
Proportion (%)
Māori
26.3
European
73.4
Pacific Peoples
6.5
Middle Eastern/Latin American/African
1.0
Asian
4.9
Other ethnicity
1.8
Region
Proportion (%)
Northland
21.1
Auckland
14.1
Waikato
13.5
Bay of Plenty
10.0
Gisborne
1.2
Hawke's Bay
3.4
Taranaki
2.3
Manawatu-Whanganui
4.7
Wellington
6.3
Nelson
0.9
Tasman
3.6
Marlborough
2.1
West Coast
2.8
Canterbury
9.1
Otago
3.4
Southland
1.4
-
Population living in temporary accommodation
This is one of four categories of homelessness that estimates the number of people living in temporary accommodation. This indicator provides information about people living in different types of emergency and transitional housing.
Data source: Severe Housing Deprivation Estimates based on Census data, Stats NZ (2018).
NZ Total Count
7,929
Ethnicity
Proportion (%)
Māori
18.3
European
59.5
Pacific Peoples
8.7
Middle Eastern/Latin American/African
2.9
Asian
19.2
Other ethnicity
1.1
Region
Proportion (%)
Northland
6.5
Auckland
31.9
Waikato
5.3
Bay of Plenty
6.8
Gisborne
1.0
Hawke's Bay
4.8
Taranaki
1.2
Manawatu-Whanganui
3.9
Wellington
11.0
Nelson
3.3
Tasman
3.0
Marlborough
2.3
West Coast
1.2
Canterbury
10.2
Otago
6.0
Southland
1.6
-
Population sharing accommodation
This is one of four categories of homelessness that estimates the number of people sharing accommodation in a severely overcrowded dwelling. This indicator provides information about people temporarily sharing accommodation in dwellings that are severely overcrowded.
Data source: Severe Housing Deprivation Estimates based on Census data, Stats NZ (2018).
NZ Total Count
30,171
Ethnicity
Proportion (%)
Māori
37.4
European
25.8
Pacific Peoples
29.6
Middle Eastern/Latin American/African
1.8
Asian
25.0
Other ethnicity
0.4
Region
Proportion (%)
Northland
4.7
Auckland
50.4
Waikato
8.9
Bay of Plenty
7.4
Gisborne
1.5
Hawke's Bay
4.3
Taranaki
1.2
Manawatu-Whanganui
3.2
Wellington
7.4
Nelson
0.5
Tasman
0.6
Marlborough
0.6
West Coast
0.1
Canterbury
5.9
Otago
2.7
Southland
0.6
-
Population in uninhabitable housing
This is one of four categories of homelessness that estimates the number of people living in housing that lacks one or more basic amenities. This indicator provides information about people living in dwellings without basic features like electricity or a toilet.
Data source: Severe Housing Deprivation Estimates based on Census data, Stats NZ (2018).
NZ Total Count
60,399
Ethnicity
Proportion (%)
Māori
25.9
European
36.3
Pacific Peoples
21.4
Middle Eastern/Latin American/African
3.8
Asian
26.6
Other ethnicity
0.9
Region
Proportion (%)
Northland
4.8
Auckland
44
Waikato
9.1
Bay of Plenty
4.5
Gisborne
1.5
Hawke's Bay
5.0
Taranaki
1.8
Manawatu-Whanganui
6.2
Wellington
8.1
Nelson
0.7
Tasman
0.6
Marlborough
0.6
West Coast
1.0
Canterbury
7.5
Otago
3.0
Southland
1.6
Supply, uptake and demand for housing services
-
Unmet need for public housing
Number of applicants on the Housing Register. This indicator reports the number of households waiting to be housed in public housing. This indicator helps us to understand populations and regions where urgent housing need is not currently being met.
Data sources: Monthly Housing Reporting(external link), Ministry of Social Development, December 2022.
NZ Total Count
23,127
Ethnicity
Proportion (%)
Māori
50.5
European
36.2
Pacific Peoples
15.0
Middle Eastern/Latin American/African
2.4
Asian
4.0
Other
2.4
Ethnicity not specified
3.9
Region
Proportion (%)
Northland
4.7
Auckland
32.4
Waikato
10.9
Bay of Plenty
10.0
East Coast
9.0
Taranaki
2.8
Central
5.7
Wellington
9.1
West Coast Tasman
3.3
Canterbury
9.0
Southern
3.0
Data beyond December 2022 is available on the Housing Dashboard.
-
Time to house from Housing Register
The median number of days to house an applicant from the Housing Register. This indicator provides information about the length of time it takes to house applicants in public housing. This helps us understand how efficiently the system is working to support people experiencing or at risk of homelessness into longer-term accommodation.
Data sources: Housing Dashboard, Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga – Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, quarter ending December 2022.
Median Days
NZ Total
208
Data beyond December 2022 is available on the Housing Dashboard.
-
Turnaway rate
The number of people seeking housing through a housing service (e.g Housing First) compared to the number of those who can be accommodated. This indicator helps us understand more about the extent of unmet demand for housing services which help prevent and decrease homelessness.
There is currently no data source available.
-
Supply of public housing
Number of public houses in New Zealand supplied by Kāinga Ora and registered Community Housing Providers. This indicator tells us about our current supply of government-funded public housing. An adequate supply of affordable and secure housing is critical for preventing and responding to homelessness.
Data source: Housing Dashboard, Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga – Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, as at 31 December 2022.
Number of public homes provided by Kāinga Ora (includes vacant and occupied homes)
NZ Total Count
65,654
Region
Proportion (%)
Northland
3.3
Auckland
45.9
Waikato
7.3
Bay of Plenty
2.8
East Coast
6.4
Taranaki
1.9
Central
3.7
Wellington
11.9
West Coast Tasman
2.5
Canterbury
11.4
Southern
2.8
Number of public homes provided by Community Housing Providers (includes occupied homes)
NZ Total Count
12,053
Region
Proportion (%)
Northland
1.1
Auckland
51.6
Waikato
2.6
Bay of Plenty
13.3
East Coast
1.3
Taranaki
0.2
Central
1.1
Wellington
13.7
West Coast Tasman
0.7
Canterbury
13.8
Southern
0.6
Data beyond December 2022 is available on the Housing Dashboard.
-
Uptake of government-funded temporary accommodation
The total number of households in government-funded temporary accommodation cannot be produced from the data available.
While data by programme is available (see the information under 'Uptake of government-funded responses to homelessness'), the total number of households supported by these programmes cannot currently be produced as the unit of measurement between them differs. For example, some programmes count households, while others count the number of places.
-
Uptake of government-funded responses to homelessness
Number of households supported by a government-funded response to homelessness (e.g Housing First). This indicator provides information about households accessing government-funded services to help prevent their potential entry or return to homelessness or support their exit from homelessness.
Number of Households in Emergency Housing (i.e., receiving an Emergency Housing Special Needs Grant)
Data source: Monthly Housing Reporting(external link), Ministry of Social Development, as at 31 December 2022.
NZ Total
3,342
Ethnicity of a primary applicant
Proportion (%)
Māori
61.4
European
33.8
Pacific Peoples
11.0
Middle Eastern/Latin American/African
1.5
Asian
1.5
Other ethnicity
2.0
Ethnicity not specified
3.4
Region
Proportion (%)
Northland
0.4
Auckland
17.4
Waikato
23.6
Bay of Plenty
11.8
East Coast
10.1
Taranaki
2.0
Central
4.2
Wellington
12.3
West Coast-Tasman
2.2
Canterbury
8.7
Southern
0.5
Other region
6.5
Number of households in Contracted Emergency Housing
Data source: Rotorua Temporary Housing Dashboard, Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga – Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, as at 31 December 2022.
NZ Total Count
174
Number of Transitional Housing places secured for tenanting
Data source: Housing Dashboard, Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga – Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, as at 31 December 2022.
NZ Total Count
5,815
Region
Proportion (%)
Northland
4.1
Auckland
46.4
Waikato
7.5
Bay of Plenty
6.9
East Coast
8.9
Taranaki
0.7
Central
2.9
Wellington
10.2
West Coast Tasman
1.7
Canterbury
8.0
Southern
2.8
Number of contracted places in COVID-19 Response Motels
Data source: Internal Reporting Data, Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga – Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, as at 31 December 2022.
NZ Total Count
554
Region
Proportion (%)
Northland
6.9
Auckland
40.3
Waikato
6.7
Bay of Plenty
21.3
East Coast
8.5
Taranaki
Not applicable
Central
0.0
Wellington
2.2
West Coast Tasman
14.3
Canterbury
0.0
Southern
Not applicable
Number of households housed via Housing First
Data source: Public Housing Quarterly Report, Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga – Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, as at 31 December 2022.
NZ Total Count
3,003
Ethnicity of the primary applicant
Proportion (%)
Māori
59
European
23
Pacific Peoples
10
Middle Eastern/Latin American/African
2
Asian
1
Other ethnicity
1
No answer
4
Housing First Areas
Proportion (%)
Far North
1
Whangarei
3
Auckland
47
Hamilton
17
Rotorua
5
Tauranga
4
Hawke's Bay
1
Wellington
12
Nelson
1
Blenheim
2
Christchurch
9
Number of households in public homes
Data source: Regional Factsheets, Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga – Ministry of Housing and Urban Development , as at 31 December 2022.
NZ Total Count
74,799
Region
Proportion (%)
Northland
3.0
Auckland
47.1
Waikato
6.6
Bay of Plenty
4.4
East Coast
5.7
Taranaki
1.6
Central
3.3
Wellington
11.8
West Coast Tasman
2.1
Canterbury
11.9
Southern
2.5
Data beyond December 2022 is available for some of the listed services. Please see the relevant data source for more recent data.
Housing affordability
-
Low-income households spending more than 30% of income on housing costs
Proportion of low-income households spending more than 30% of their disposable income on housing costs. This indicator provides information about households who are finding housing unaffordable and could be at potential risk of homelessness in the event of a shock or unexpected cost.
Data source: Household Economic Survey, Stats NZ (2021)(external link).
NZ Total Proportion (%)
55.7
Ethnicity
Proportion (%)
Māori
49.7
European
55.1
Pacific Peoples
50.3 – 58.7
Asian
72.9
Middle Eastern/Latin American/African/Other ethniciy
55.4 – 65.6
Region
Proportion (%)
Northland
32.5 – 47.1
Auckland
61.4
Waikato
54.4 – 61.1
Bay of Plenty
44.8 – 52.1
Gisborne/Hawkes Bay
42.0 – 59.0
Taranaki
Not available
Manawatu-Whanganui
52.4 – 60.3
Wellington
44.6 – 56.0
Tasman/Nelson/Marlborough/West Coast
Not available
Canterbury
56.4
Otago
50.5 – 62.4
Southland
39.1 – 50.0
Tenure
Proportion (%)
Owned
46.7
Not owned
64.6
Note: We have used ranges where care should be taken in interpreting estimates, due to less statistical reliability.
Data for the year ended June 2022 is now available on the Stats NZ website.(external link)
-
Low-income households spending more than 40% of income on housing costs
Proportion of low-income households spending more than 40% of their disposable income on housing costs. This indicator provides information about households who are finding housing unaffordable and could be at higher risk of homelessness in the event of a shock or unexpected cost.
Data source: Household Economic Survey, Stats NZ (2021)(external link).
NZ Total Proportion (%)
48.7
Ethnicity
Proportion (%)
Māori
41.6
European
47.2
Pacific Peoples
42.0 – 49.5
Asian
69.5
Middle Eastern/Latin American/African/Other ethnicity
47.3 – 61.6
Region
Proportion (%)
Northland
26.0 – 41.9
Auckland
55.9
Waikato
43.0 – 50.9
Bay of Plenty
36.5 – 45.9
Gisborne/Hawkes Bay
32.0 – 49.0
Taranaki
Not available
Manawatu-Whanganui
40.2 – 50.4
Wellington
38.6 – 50.0
Tasman/Nelson/Marlborough/West Coast
Not available
Canterbury
47.3 – 53.3
Otago
43.3 – 58.2
Southland
Not available
Tenure
Proportion (%)
Owned
39.1
Not owned
58.2
Note: We have used ranges where care should be taken in interpreting estimates, due to less statistical reliability.
Data for the year ended June 2022 is now available on the Stats NZ website.(external link)
-
Low-income households spending more than 50% of income on housing costs
Proportion of low-income households spending more than 50% of their disposable income on housing costs. This indicator provides information about households who are finding housing extremely unaffordable and are at higher risk of homelessness in the event of a shock or unexpected cost.
Data source: Household Economic Survey, Stats NZ (2021)(external link).
NZ Total Proportion (%)
42.4
Ethnicity
Proportion (%)
Māori
34.0
European
41.0
Pacific Peoples
32.9-42.2
Asian
65.0
Middle Eastern/Latin American/African/Other ethnicity
37.8-52.8
Region
Proportion (%)
Northland
20.8 – 30.1
Auckland
50.8
Waikato
37.6 – 45.8
Bay of Plenty
29.2 – 39.7
Gisborne/Hawkes Bay
Not available
Taranaki
Not available
Manawatu-Whanganui
29.3 – 39.7
Wellington
32.7 – 45.3
Tasman/Nelson/Marlborough/West Coast
Not available
Canterbury
43.5 – 51.4
Otago
34.0 – 48.8
Southland
Not available
Tenure
Proportion (%)
Owned
34.2
Not owned
50.4
Note: We have used ranges where care should be taken in interpreting estimates, due to less statistical reliability.
Data for the year ended June 2022 is now available on the Stats NZ website.(external link)
-
Perceived housing affordability
Proportion of households that perceive their housing costs as unaffordable. Households that perceive their housing as unaffordable could be at increased risk of homelessness in the event of a shock or unexpected cost.
Data source: General Social Survey, Stats NZ (2021)(external link).
NZ Total Proportion (%)
16.4
Ethnicity
Proportion (%)
Māori
19.9
European
14.9
Pacific Peoples
16.5 – 32.3
Asian
20.1
Middle Eastern/Latin American/African/Other
7.8 – 22.8
Region
Proportion (%)
Northland
15.2 - 40.6
Auckland
19.7
Waikato
15.3
Bay of Plenty
11.8 – 24.1
Gisborne/Hawkes Bay
12.1 – 25.7
Taranaki
Not available
Manawatu-Whanganui
4.7 – 13.6
Wellington
15.2
Tasman/Nelson/Marlborough/West Coast
10.5 – 26.6
Canterbury
12.2
Otago
7.4 – 16.4
Southland
Not available
Tenure
Proportion (%)
Owned
13.2
Not owned
23.2
Note: We have used ranges where care should be taken in interpreting estimates, due to less statistical reliability.
-
Change in rental affordability
Twelve-month rate of change in rental affordability. This indicator tells us whether rental prices have become more or less affordable over time. Positive numbers mean increased affordability. Negative numbers mean decreased affordability. Decreasing rental affordability may place more financial pressure on households and could increase households' risk of homelessness.
Data source: Change in Rental Affordability Indicators (CHAI), Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga – Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, September 2021 to September 2022.
NZ Total 12 Month Change (%)
4
Region
Proportion 12-Month Change (%)
Northland
1
Auckland
6
Waikato
2
Bay of Plenty
2
Gisborne
-6
Hawkes Bay
1
Taranaki
-1
Manawatu-Whanganui
-1
Wellington
5
Nelson
0
Tasman
1
Marlborough
4
West Coast
-3
Canterbury
-1
Otago
-2
Southland
0
-
Perceived income adequacy
Proportion of households who perceive their household income as enough to meet their needs. This indicator helps us understand the extent to which households can cover everyday living expenses. Households with adequate incomes may be more resilient to shocks or unexpected costs, which may lower their risk of experiencing homelessness.
Data source: Household Economic Survey, Stats NZ (2021)(external link).
NZ Total Proportion (%)
67.2
Ethnicity
Proportion (%)
Māori
59.2
European
71.7
Pacific Peoples
49.6
Asian
57.8
Middle Eastern/Latin America/African/Other ethnicity
63.6
Region
Proportion(%)
Northland
61.8
Auckland
63.6
Waikato
64.2
Bay of Plenty
67.9
Gisborne/Hawkes Bay
71.2
Taranaki
68.7
Manawatu-Whanganui
72.0
Wellington
72.5
Tasman/Nelson/Marlborough/West Coast
73.3
Canterbury
68.9
Otago
67.3
Southland
68.7
Data for the year ended June 2022 is available in the latest household income and housing cost statistics release on the Stats NZ website.(external link)
For more information about terms used throughout the Homelessness Outlook, please see the Glossary.
More detailed information about the indicators, including reporting metrics and data sources, are available here (XLSX, 127 KB).