Homelessness in Whanganui
In Whanganui considerable effort has gone into supporting people experiencing homelessness, with organisations providing wraparound support including ensuring people are on the social housing register and have had an updated housing assessment if it has been a while, linking homeless people with social service providers, and organising additional health services as required. This approach has been very successful at placing people in housing – for example, as at 30 June one provider had arranged housing for 38 people who were homeless.
People who are homeless have been based at freedom camping sites on Taupo Quay and Anzac Parade while being supported into housing. Infringement notices are not issued to people who are homeless and staying at freedom camping sites.
The issue
Over the past six months there has been a marked increase in the numbers of people based at the Taupo Quay freedom camping site and the adjacent reserve, as well as the Anzac Parade freedom camping site.
A number of these people have refused to engage with services offering housing support. We have received numerous reports of antisocial behaviour at these sites and in the past couple of months we have also removed over two tonnes of rubbish.
Closing the Taupo Quay site for safety reasons
Whanganui District Council has made a decision to close the Taupo Quay freedom camping site for a time due to safety concerns for both people living there and the wider community. We have asked those based there to leave the site. For some, moving to stay with friends and family is an option. Support services have made themselves immediately available to help with other housing options.
The future
We will continue working alongside support services to help vulnerable members of our community who are genuinely homeless.
It can be difficult to ascertain whether people are genuinely homeless – those who say they are homeless but won’t engage with support agencies on housing or refuse accommodation offered will be deemed to be freedom campers and required to move after three days.
Trespass notices will be issued to anyone who shows criminal or anti-social behaviour at the sites.
Homelessness is a complex issue with no quick fix solutions. A 2023 report on addressing homelessness identified that investing in wraparound support is more effective than a bricks and mortar approach.