http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/285622/emergency-housing-funding-‘just-a-band-aid’
A Whangarei housing trust points to a desperate situation in Northland.
Te Tai Tokerau Emergency Housing Trust chairperson Adrian Whale said it turned away two families a day because it did not have enough beds on offer. He said it was heartwrenching to say no.
“That’s what really breaks the hearts of the staff. Saying that there’s no room in the inn is something that we’ve prided ourselves in not doing; we’ve had open doors for quite some time.
“To turn people away knowing that they will be spending time either in their cars or other overcrowded situations is something that we just hate doing,” he said.
Mr Whale said being transient had become a lifestyle for some people and he was now finding some Auckland people, who he said had lost hope in the big city, were becoming regular door-knockers in Whangarei.
“Unfortunately, we’re all full as well. I think the announcement was that there would be further announcements coming up but for us we would like to know that now to sustain it in the future,” he said.