The Right to Housing

The New Zealand Government currently helps homeless people and rough sleepers through the provision of social housing, emergency and transitional accommodation, and programmes such as Housing First. Between the 2018 and 2023 Censuses there was a significant increase in the number of Kiwis living without shelter, despite the large-scale use of emergency housing costing more than $1 billion across that period. New Zealand has signed international agreements that recognise adequate housing as a human right, however, that principle is not codified under New Zealand law. A legal duty to house all homeless people would ensure everyone has a stable place to live, but it raises questions about how that 'housing' would need to look, and how much further investment would be required from the taxpayer.

Discussion summary

The discussion on whether the government should be legally obliged to house all homeless people showed a range of views, with more participants agreeing (16) than disagreeing (10). Many comments emphasized the need for collaborative community approaches and adequate housing design to truly address homelessness, while some voiced concerns about potential increased pressure on housing resources. Overall, participants shared a strong concern for vulnerable populations and highlighted the importance of sustainable solutions.