Emergency housing access and homelessness

The story so far

Housing advocates and youth supporters say emergency housing is becoming nearly impossible to access as homelessness rises, and some providers report people sleeping in hospital waiting rooms.^{7 Mar 2025} The government has tightened access to the emergency housing system.^{7 Mar 2025} Auckland Council's Community Committee sent a letter to the Government after a 53 per cent rise in people sleeping rough over four months, and support agencies report much higher demand for services.^{10 Mar 2025} Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has rejected claims that tighter emergency housing criteria have increased homelessness.^{11 Mar 2025}

Latest

Luxon rejected claims that tighter emergency housing criteria caused more homelessness, responding to the Auckland Council letter.^{11 Mar 2025}

Key moments

1. 7 Mar 2025Advocates say emergency housing access is becoming nearly impossible as homelessness rises.
2. 10 Mar 2025Auckland Council letter to government cites 53 per cent rise in rough sleeping.
3. 11 Mar 2025Luxon denies that tighter emergency housing rules increased homelessness.

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.