Dear AGAC friends,
It is getting warmer in daytime, and we might notice spring is around the corner these days. But there are people who are living rough in the same city where we live. Yes, homeless situation in Auckland is at “crisis” point.
The following is an update on this matter from our own Auckland City Missioner Helen Robinson, which I am inviting you to read and reflect with open hearts.
Kia ora,
I know you share our concerns for people sleeping rough in Tāmaki Makaurau, and I wanted to update you on the rise in homelessness that we’re seeing on the front line. You may have heard the distressing news that the number of people without shelter in our city rose from 426 to 809 between September 2024 and May 2025*, which represents a 90% increase. This is not just a statistic, it is real people who are suffering deeply.Here at the Auckland City Mission, we’ve seen more and more people coming in for hot meals, connecting with our street outreach team and sleeping in our laneway during the day -because they literally have nowhere safe to sleep at night.We are very clear that changes to the government’s emergency housing policy in September last year have directly contributed to more people ending up on the street.
None of us think that emergency housing is the long-term answer – New Zealand needs more affordable, permanent homes. But right now, we urgently need safe shelter with immediate access and appropriate support for people with nowhere else to go.
To this end, we have been in conversation with the government in 17th August – 20th Ordinary Sunday – Year C recent months and I am encouraged that they have now acknowledged the rise in homelessness and reached out to front line organisations, including the Mission, for help. We look forward to working together to find the solutions our country needs. Until the day that everyone in Aotearoa has a safe place to call home, your support continues to be a lifeline for our people.
Thank you for your care, your compassion and the hope that you provide.
Helen Robinson
Let’s pray for those who are living on the streets, for the government to follow through on its desire to do something concrete to address the problem, and for the Mission and for all people who befriend, support and serve rough sleepers in our city.
If you want to read more about it or help people, please visit their website; Housing – Auckland City Mission
Peace in Christ,
Yukiko
