Publish Date:
7 April 2025Keywords:
Living on the streets or in cars, with many more beyond statistical reach
Recent estimates indicate that approximately 1 in every 1,000 people in Aotearoa are living without shelter. This includes people sleeping rough, in cars, or in other places not intended for habitation. The total proportion of New Zealanders living without shelter increased by 29.5%, up from 7.8 per 10,000 people in 2018 to 10.1 per 10,000 people in 2023.
People living without shelter often experience high levels of instability and complex support needs, and frequently interact with multiple government systems including health, justice, and social services.
This highlights the importance of sustained, coordinated approaches to reduce the number of people living without shelter and support pathways into stable housing.
Data source: 2023 Census severe housing deprivation (homelessness) estimates | Stats NZ
