Additional $14.5 million support for rough sleepers

More support is on the way for people experiencing homelessness, with the Government expanding outreach and support services to six new locations, and extending proven initiatives already underway in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch, Housing Minister Chris Bishop and Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka say.

"Homelessness has been a problem in New Zealand for decades. We have a broken housing system that is more severe in challenging economic times,” Mr Bishop says.

“Late last year, Minister Potaka and I announced five short-term actions to support rough sleepers. 

“These included funding an additional 300 social homes for the Housing First programme, supporting providers to deliver stronger local responses, making more effective use of transitional housing, strengthening staff guidance on the use of discretion when assessing emergency housing grants, and redirecting benefit funding to better support those in need.

“Those measures, including the additional 300 Housing First social homes, are already making a difference. 

“Since September 2025, a total of 674 households who had been sleeping rough have been moved into stable housing, either through the additional 300 places or existing social homes.

“Between November 2025 and January 2026 alone, 177 people entered a new transitional housing pilot programme in Auckland and Hamilton, managed by homelessness support providers and funded by the Government late last year.

“The funding has also enabled housing assistance centres to deliver more than 1,500 support activities such as mental health or addiction support, or assistance to register for a benefit, along with increased outreach services to those sleeping rough.

“Today we are pleased to confirm that the Government will provide an additional $14.54 million over the next year for support services to help people sleeping rough.

“This additional funding will continue funding for existing services in our main centres with a proven track record of helping people experiencing homelessness. 

"$2.7 million of this funding is to extend the support to six additional locations: Tauranga, Whakatāne, New Plymouth, Napier, Whanganui and Waimakariri. Support will be tailored to local needs, recognising that different communities face different challenges.

"Local reporting and the homelessness insights report released today show there is unmet need in a number of communities around New Zealand.

“This additional investment allows us to expand immediate support services for those who need a home right now, while longer-term work continues to address the underlying drivers of our housing crisis.”

Mr Potaka says the investment builds on encouraging results already being seen through the Government's homelessness response.

“We have already seen the difference these services can make when people are connected quickly with accommodation and the support they need.

“The early results from Housing First, transitional housing and outreach services show that locally-led approaches are helping people move into housing and improve their circumstances.

"We know homelessness goes beyond just a house. It can involve challenges with health, employment, addiction, family relationships, or access to services. These initiatives help connect people with the right support at the right time and improve outcomes for individuals and whānau.

"Community organisations and frontline providers play a critical role in supporting vulnerable people. This investment will help strengthen that work and ensure more people can access the services available to them." 

Notes to editor: 

Latest Homelessness Insights Report. 

Press release from September 2025 about initial support package: Expanding support for rough sleepers | Beehive.govt.nz ...