Rough sleeping or street homelessness is the most visible form of homelessness and is the extreme of a much larger social issue. It is an issue of increasing importance for Auckland because as the city grows, so will its homeless population.
In responding to the issue of homelessness we must first acknowledge that public perception of homelessness is rife with misunderstandings and stereotypes. The most common of these is that homelessness is a choice.
Contributing factors to homelessness vary based on individual circumstances. Financial difficulty and the inability to afford adequate housing are central to the issue of homelessness. Often these are accompanied by other problems such as family breakdown, domestic violence, poor physical or mental health, substance abuse and other addictions.
Stereotypes would try to restrict the image of a homeless person to a certain sex or age however, homelessness does not discriminate. Men, women and children are all represented by Auckland’s current homeless population. They are an immensely vulnerable segment of society. These individuals deserve a compassionate and committed response.
That’s where we come in. LIFEWISE is a non-profit dedicated to providing effective, long-term solutions to homelessness. From our LIFEWISE hub on K Road we provide a range of specialist services to the homeless population of Auckland. We provide for immediate needs such as access to housing, food and clothing. We also offer a full range of support services such as mental health services, drug and alcohol services, education and training, reconnecting with family or whanau and solving other social issues.
In stark contrast to the traditional charity model, these services are designed to foster independence and address the core issues that contribute to the issue of homelessness. LIFEWISE has a highly successful track record of providing long-term solutions to the issue of homelessness.
Despite all its complications, we firmly believe that with the right approach, homelessness can be solved.
