The Government says an intensified push on rough sleeping has seen more than 500 additional households housed through the Housing First programme over the past six months, with a further 280 rough-sleeping households supported into transitional housing.

Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka said the results are being seen across Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch, supported by outreach services and housing assistance centres. He said around 45 households each month are moving from rough sleeping into temporary or permanent housing.

“Six months on, we’re seeing the system working together and reaching people earlier, connecting them to support, and helping them stay housed,” Potaka said. “We are backing what works through practical support, trusted providers, and homes that give people a stable place to land and a pathway forward for them and their whānau.”

The Government last year announced 300 additional social homes, which Potaka says are now coming through, alongside $10 million for frontline services working directly with people sleeping rough.

Today’s update does not break down results by city, how many people are now in permanent housing versus temporary options, or how long people are remaining housed. Housing First, delivered by local providers, prioritises immediate access to housing, with wraparound support to sustain tenancies.

The Government’s focus, Potaka said, is on adding supply “in the right places” and keeping people housed as the extra social homes are delivered and frontline services scale up.