Over 112,000 people are homeless

With a 74% surge in people living in temporary accommodation since 2018 

The data points to an increase in homelessness across three of the four homelessness categories since 2018: 73.5% increase in temporary accommodation, 37% rise in those living without shelter, and 14% increase in living in uninhabitable housing. Amongst this high rate of homelessness in our country are those disproportionately represented by the Rainbow community, women, people living with disabilities, and rangatahi.    

Temporary housing – which has surged 74% since the 2018 Census – is a short-term solution that seeks to provide accommodation to those with urgent needs while they seek longer-term housing. This form of accommodation includes night shelters, hostels, boarding houses, campgrounds, marae, and Women’s Refuge.  

As Census data is captured on one night of the year only the true rate of homelessness is undercounted and underreported. 

Data source: 2023 Census severe housing deprivation (homelessness) estimates | Stats NZ