City’s $1m begging solution
‘‘We will be sending a clear message that we do not want to normalise begging behaviour on the streets of Wellington.’’
Brian Dawson Wellington City Council social development portfolio leader
Wellington ratepayers could be about to write a million-dollar cheque to help fix the city’s begging problem.
In an effort to clean up its streets, Wellington City Council is proposing to set aside $100,000 per year, over the next 10 years, to provide ‘‘purposeful day activities for people on the street’’.
The initiative, suggested by the council’s social development portfolio leader Brian Dawson, would see ratepayer-funded grants offered to programmes that address antisocial behaviour and street begging in the city.
The money would only go to the organisations proving the activities, and would not to be pocketed by the beggars taking part.
The intent was to set up more programmes like the city’s community garden, which was established by the Wellington Soup Kitchen for people on the streets. It received $25,000 in council funding.
An independent report in 2016 revealed that beggars from across the country were converging on Wellington because it was seen as a city with generous residents. Most beggars made about $60 to $80 a week and occasionally got ‘‘big drops’’ of $50 or $100.
At the time, city leaders vetoed the idea of introducing a bylaw to ban begging. Instead, they chose to work with the Government and social agencies to find other solutions to the city’s begging problem.
But those living and working in the central city have said that policy isn’t working, and more needs to be done to combat intimidating and forceful beggars.
‘‘We are targeting those who are causing the most problems with antisocial behaviour, such as intimidatory begging outside cash machines,’’ Dawson said.
The council would not force beggars to take part in the activities. But if they say no, they should not expect the council to be fine with that, he added.
Dawson acknowledged that opportunist beggars may not be willing to accept the activity offer and would be difficult to budge.
‘‘We know what the carrot is but we need to find a stick, but not a bylaw ... we will be sending a clear message that we do not want to normalise begging behaviour on the streets of Wellington.’’
The council may take a leaf out of Auckland’s book, and each morning ask forceful beggars to move on, sending the strong message that they were not wanted, he said.
‘‘Personally, my goal is to see everyone on the street offered all the help they need. Then I want to say if you choose to refuse, we are not going to make your life easier.’’
As soon as its draft Long-Term Plan was approved, the council would ask social agencies and organisations with expertise to come forward with ideas, and to help find ways to encourage people to take part.
First Retail Group managing director Chris Wilkinson said retailers would welcome the ‘‘fundamental’’ proposal.
The activity idea was brought up in 2015 when retailers contributed to the begging report.
‘‘It found that when people had something to do during the day, it gave them purpose. It’s a key aspect to getting people off the street,’’ Wilkinson said.
Wellington Downtown Community Ministry, which works with people who are homeless in Wellington, has been approached for comment.