5421 (2026). Hon Kieran McAnulty to the Associate Minister of Housing

5421 (2026). Hon Kieran McAnulty to the Associate Minister of Housing: Further to his reply to Question 594 (2026), have his officials had any discussions with other agencies about any concerns raised by the increase in the number of nights spent in mental health and addiction facilities by people reported as homeless between June 2024 and June 2025 and if so, what actions, if any, have resulted from such discussions?

Hon Tama Potaka: I am advised that there have been no substantive inter-agency discussions regarding the number of nights spent in mental health facilities by people reported as homeless. Programmes funded through Vote Housing and Urban Development are designed to support people experiencing or at risk of homelessness into stable housing and to maintain that housing irrespective of whether people have addiction or mental health conditions. The programmes are not specifically designed for this population group alone. For example, transitional housing providers assist people who are in immediate housing need by providing temporary accommodation and support to find stable housing. Referrals to/from transitional housing providers can be made by/to mental health and addiction services.