The National Homelessness Data Project
The National Homelessness Data Project (NHDP) is a collaborative initiative coordinated by the Housing First Auckland Backbone, bringing together housing and homelessness providers, peak bodies and researchers to strengthen our understanding of homelessness across Aotearoa New Zealand.
By drawing together frontline research and information from public systems, the project helps build a clearer picture of homelessness, identify emerging trends and systemic pressures, and highlight opportunities for earlier intervention, improved responses and policy change.
The project is guided by a Steering Group comprising representatives from Christchurch Methodist Mission, Community Housing Aotearoa, Downtown Community Ministry (DCM), Housing First Auckland Backbone, Kāhui Tū Kaha, The Salvation Army, University of Otago and Wellington City Mission. Their collective expertise and contributions are central to the project.
Through this work, we aim to make homelessness evidence more accessible and useful to organisations, communities, researchers and decision-makers working to prevent and end homelessness.
Entry Point Research
Understanding homelessness at the point of seeking help
The Entry Point Survey, coordinated by the Backbone, provides real-time snapshots of people and whānau seeking support from housing and homelessness providers across Aotearoa New Zealand.
Completed by participating providers, the survey helps identify emerging trends about those reaching out for help and reveals pressure points in the system. This research is conducted under the expert guidance of Professor Nevil Pierse, of He Kāinga Oranga – the Housing and Health Research Programme at the University of Otago.
Joining the Dots
Homelessness data across government systems
Homelessness is connected to many public systems, including housing, health, justice, education and social support. Understanding how these systems interact is essential to identifying opportunities to prevent homelessness and improve responses.
Through the National Homelessness Data Project, we bring together and analyse publicly available information and data obtained through the Official Information Act (OIA) to identify trends, systemic pressures and gaps in our understanding of homelessness across Aotearoa New Zealand.
The findings provide a broader picture of how homelessness intersects with public systems, helping inform policy, strengthen accountability and identify opportunities for earlier intervention and coordinated action.
Read Joining the Dots – Homelessness data across government systems, including what the data tells us, its limitations and where further information is needed.
The findings, in one minute
Explore a summary of the key findings from Joining the Dots.
Public Understanding of Homelessness
Changing the conversation about homelessness
How people understand homelessness influences the way we talk about it, the solutions we support and the actions we take.
In 2025, the Housing First Auckland Backbone commissioned Ipsos to survey Aucklanders’ attitudes and perceptions of homelessness, followed by qualitative focus group research to explore these views in greater depth.
Together, these findings informed the development of the Auckland Homelessness Communications Strategy, created collaboratively with organisations across Auckland’s housing and homelessness sectors, with funding from Auckland Council.
The strategy provides a shared, evidence-informed approach to communicating about homelessness, strengthening public understanding and building support for effective solutions.
Explore the research and communications strategy
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of Aucklanders see homelessness as a serious problem
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of Aucklanders believe central government has the most responsibility to address homelessness
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of Aucklanders believe homelessness can only be managed not prevented
The wider evidence base
Learning from research in Aotearoa and internationally
Explore the wider body of research informing efforts to prevent and end homelessness, including the five-year Aotearoa Housing First study, international Housing First evidence, and research on sustaining tenancies and effective responses to homelessness.
