Supporting Homeless:

One of the few remaining social service providers in Auckland's inner city, a key focus for the Mission is the support of those who are homeless, especially those sleeping rough on Auckland's inner-city streets..

Homelessness takes many forms, but the most visible are rough sleepers - those sleeping on the streets, in empty buildings, doorways and carparks.

This is the most extreme end of homelessness, and Mission staff work intensively with this vulnerable group. Staff provide hospitality, support, social interaction and skill development along with meeting physical needs and addressing long-term issues such as housing, physical and mental health concerns and financial issues.

Mission staff actively engage and work with other agencies and support providers to reduce duplication of services and ensure the best possible outcomes for homeless clients. This inter-agency co-operation and communication is vital if Auckland is to achieve its goal to end rough sleeping.

Auckland City Mission is one of the key partner organisations participating in the Auckland City Council's "Homeless Action Plan 2008-2013."

In response to Strand 5 of the action plan, "An interagency response for the future direction of homeless services", a joint Memorandum of Understanding and Practice Guidelines have been developed to streamline processes and practices of the various agencies working to end rough sleeping.

Click here Homeless Action Plan 2008-2013

Click here for the Memorandum of Understanding: An interagency approach for ending rough sleeping in Auckland city

Click here for the Interagency Response to End Rough Sleeping in Auckland City - A Practice Guide

Click here for the New Zealand Definition of Homelessness

Outreach:

Mission staff walk the inner city streets daily - in the early hours of the morning and late in the evening, making contact with those sleeping rough.

They engage newcomers, letting them know where and how to access support, check on those known to be especially vulnerable, and assist wherever they can. In addition they collect important statistical information to advise policy and inter-agency development.

Appropriate, affordable housing:

Homeless Staff work with Housing New Zealand, WINZ and other agencies to advocate for and help to facilitate appropriate accommodation options for rough sleepers and others facing homelessness. The Mission contributes directly to discussions about social housing policy development at a national level.

Drop-in :

Morning and night, 365 days of the year, the Mission opens its doors to provide hospitality and social interaction to all. Providing hot drinks and donated food, Drop-In is a safe, welcoming environment where anyone can ask for help, re-build networks, develop social skills or simply spend time.

Drop-in is located at 140 Hobson Street.

Participation in Activities:

The Mission runs a comprehensive activities programme based to help build social and employment skills, while developing self-esteem and helping people to re-discover or connect with their cultural identity.

The programme encompasses a broad range of activities, from quiz nights and video sessions to fishing, gardening, art and drama classes.

Community Gardens:
The Mission's homeless team works in partnership with Ngati Whatua o' Orakei to create opportunities for the 70% of homeless clients who are Maori to connect with their personal histories and their community. Activities include tree planting days and the establishment of community gardens at Orakei Marae. The gardens provide fresh produce for the clients, the opportunity to learn horticulture skills and the development of work skills.

Night Shelter:

Auckland City Mission helps to fund, and sits on the board of, the Emergency Night Shelter in central Auckland. This inter-agency initiative provides cheap, clean, safe accommodation for those who would otherwise sleep on the streets.

Advocacy:

Auckland City Mission staff are dedicated advocates for Auckland's most marginalised. Advocacy takes place daily at all levels of the Mission, directly on behalf of individuals, with service providers, with decision and policy makers at local and national level and with the public through awareness campaigns, presentations and public communications. 

 The Auckland City Mission Homeless Services Team is reliant on fundraising to provide support.  

We welcome your contributions, financial and otherwise.

If you'd like more information about how you can help please read the Get Involved or Donations pages on this site.

 If you would like to help the Auckland City Mission provide support to those who need it most, please make a donation here

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