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Hundreds of homeless children in Auckland

Author
Newstalk ZB staff,
Publish Date
Wed, 18 Nov 2015, 5:15AM

Hundreds of homeless children in Auckland

Author
Newstalk ZB staff,
Publish Date
Wed, 18 Nov 2015, 5:15AM

UPDATED 7.55PM: A snapshot of homeless life in Auckland has uncovered startling figures about how many children are sleeping rough.

The Salvation Army has just released its second housing report, titled Invisible in the Super City.

Of the more than 1200 homeless people surveyed, 47 percent were children.

LISTEN: Report author Reina Harris speaks with Rachel Smalley

MORE: Sue Hay speaks with Mike Hosking

Major Sue Hay said because these children are invisible to the general public, the issue is flying under the radar.

"These children are in garages, they're in people's lounges, some of them are sleeping in cars, some of them are under bridges.

"But they're not seen, and so there is no outcry."

She said the terrible thing is this is just the tip of the iceberg, and the number of homeless children could be much higher.

"We want to see children have a legislated right to housing.

"We require them to go to school but we don't ensure they have a roof over their heads and that has to change."

Major Hay argues the government must commit to building 1000 social housing homes a year, to address Auckland's chronic under supply.

David Zussman of the Monte Cecila Housing Trust a better support framework is needed to bring about meaningful change.

"At the moment there is no kind of obligation or legal duty to house families, and that needs to be done, particularly where children are involved."

 

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