a progress report on the petition and hikoi
Kāpiti ‘Hikoi On Homelessness’ Highlights The Housing Crisis
Motorists tooting support outnumbered marchers highlighting the plight of Kāpiti’s homeless yesterday, but their cause was strengthened by Cr Sophie Handford walking the walk with them.
And, Felicity Stacey-Clark, reports the ‘Hikoi on Homelessness’ made its mark on public consciousness by highlighting the housing crisis threatening local society.
About a dozen people paraded down Kapiti Road from McLean St to the Paraparaumu Library, drawing a chorus of supportive toots from passing cars.
The Hikoi on Homelessness was organised to raise awareness of the shortage of affordable accommodation in Kāpiti — with large numbers of homeless being put up in motels and other temporary accommodation because they can't find suitable or affordable rental homes.
“Not just a big city problem’
Speakers at the rally at the Library pointed out that homelessness is not just a big city problem.
They spoke about living in emergency housing for more than a year; and being moved on at short notice to another motel because their motel was taken over as a MIQ facility.
Others pointed out the difficulties in accommodation which was not designed to cater for people with disabilities, or for family groups.
Several spoke of the toll taken on the mental and physical health of the displaced people. One person spoke of five moves in three years between properties that landlords had then rented out as long term.
It was also pointed out that younger homeless people were often missed in statistics because they were couch surfing, living in cars, or sleeping rough.
Councillor Sophie’s support
Councillor Sophie Handford joined the marchers from the start, while local MP Terisa Ngobi and Mayor K. Gurunathan met the group at the Library.
A petition is being circulated to raise the issue at Parliament, and those gathering were also urged to support a KCDC survey on homelessness in Kāpiti.
This is available online from the KCDC site — or from the Kāpiti Libraries and Council offices.
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