Ten-year plan to end homelessness 

Source: ONE News

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As the Labour Party calls for an inquiry into homelessness, one organisation believes it can get everyone into a home within 10 years.

The Lifewise Trust's John McCarthy is part of the New Zealand Coalition to End Homelessness and says the demands for an inquiry are helpful.

McCarthy says homelessness is largely a hidden problem.

"I think lots of people in New Zealand think homelessness is a few people sleeping on park benches," he told Breakfast's Pippa Wetzell.

"That is not homelessness in New Zealand."

He says there are many families squatting on people's floors and children sleeping in unsafe boarding facilities, and that New Zealand is paying both socially and financially because of it.

McCarthy is also concerned by the potential homeless problem "down the line".

He says there are a large number of people in their late 40s/early 50s who are already struggling economically. In 10-15 years time, they will be hitting retirement with no resources or assets.

"We're facing potentially a larger homeless problem if we don't get ourselves organised."

McCarthy says a coordinated plan is needed to deal with the issue.

As well as building some housing, he says New Zealand needs to close the gaps around key transition points, such as people leaving psychiatric hospital and prisons.

"And we need to support people who are housed to stay housed ... It's a total myth that people don't want to be housed."

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