38568 (2025). Hon Kieran McAnulty to the Associate Minister of Housing

38568 (2025). Hon Kieran McAnulty to the Associate Minister of Housing: What advice, if any, has he received that the reported persistently high cost of living is resulting in an increase in homelessness and what action, if any, is he taking as a result?

Hon Tama Potaka: Homelessness is driven by a range of structural and systemic failures (e.g. poverty, supply and access to affordable housing, employment, health care). Loss of employment or income, family breakdown, developing or intensifying health conditions, and trauma such as family violence or other forms of victimisation are some of the many and complex causes. We are continuing to invest in a wide range of programmes and initiatives from prevention to crisis response. In the short term, we have asked officials for advice on further targeted interventions to provide help and support to those living without shelter, including rough sleepers. We have asked for recommendations around better utilisation of existing programmes and existing services, and they are open to new ideas that will make an enduring difference.