Being homeless in lockdown
Thousands of homeless people across New Zealand are struggling to find places to go as the country shuts down because of coronavirus.
Organisations across the country are working to keep safe those who do not have a place to hunker down.
In Hawke’s Bay, manager of peer support trust Whatever It Takes (Wit) Shirley Lammas said members were continuing with an outreach centre, providing takeaway meals.
‘‘In the past few days, we have seen many homeless go to ground as they are concerned not only about the virus but that the police could lock them up for being on the street,’’ Lammas said.
‘‘Their anxiety and fear is real too as they have approached medical centres for masks and shared these concerns with staff. One man said to one of our staff, ‘If I get sick will someone come look for me?’ ’’
Lammas said Wit was working with the Ministry of Social Development and Housing First on finding accommodation solutions and other ways to support those who were homeless or rough sleepers. ‘‘If you think these people take drugs and drink to numb the trauma and pain, this is now a whole new level of survival for them. Homeless people have their own routine and this has been interrupted the same as for everyone else, unfortunately they are far more vulnerable. They only have access to one toilet and cold water showers.
‘‘They were washing their clothes at the Outreach but we have had to close this down.’’
Lammas said Wit was looking for assistance with protective resources so it could help identify whether someone was getting ill when they accessed the Outreach.’’
Wellington’s Compassion Soup Kitchen remains open and will run seven days a week, rather than its normal six. A spokeswoman said takeaway meals would be served every day from 1.30pm-2.30pm.
Other organisations had provided rough sleepers in Wellington with cellphones and credit, in order to stay in touch while face-to-face contact was not allowed.
‘‘The wha¯ nau have been encouraged to swap phone numbers so that they can stay in contact with each other during this difficult time,’’ she said. The service had two kitchen teams to reduce contact and staff were wearing personal protective equipment as well as keeping two metres apart.
The Soup Kitchen was also providing prepared meals for the Wellington Night Shelter, which was reporting a higher than normal volume of people wanting meals.
Ministry of Social Development housing manager Karen Hocking said it was working with other agencies to look after those sleeping rough.
Wellington City Missioner Murray Eldridge said the homeless community was not threatened by Covid19
until the confirmation spread.
‘‘They were less vulnerable and were not travelling and were not coming into contact with any travellers but the community spread has changed that,’’ he said.
‘‘Most have compromised health and vulnerability, food supplies are insecure, not nutritious enough, and there are more hygiene challenges.’’
All public toilets and showers had closed, providing another challenge for the homeless.
‘‘If this goes on for four weeks or longer – what do we do?’’
Eldridge said the mission had been working to provide alternative accommodation and was working to reduce the number of people in night shelters.
Auckland City Missioner Chris Farrelly said there were about 800 people in the homeless community across the city. ‘‘We are trying to get every single person indoors, we have been trying to get everyone into motel units during the past few days.’’
But Farrelly said there were challenges with getting those in need off the streets. ‘‘There are mental health issues, addiction issues and more, so it is a tough one.’’ of community