Auckland Council is actively addressing homelessness in Auckland with the creation of a new region-wide Homeless Action Plan.

With an ambitious aim of ending rough sleeping by 2020, the plan sees all relevant agencies involved with homelessness in Auckland working together for a common goal.

“The plan and the pooling of resources and skills of Auckland’s homeless aid agencies means a tangible positive impact will be felt by the homeless people of Auckland immediately,” says Councillor Cathy Casey, chair of the council’s Social and Community Development Forum.

The new plan follows on from the successes of Auckland City Council’s Homeless Action Plan, which was adopted by Auckland Council. This plan saw the creation of the New Beginnings Court in October 2010.

The court has made some impressive progress towards providing solutions for the homeless people who have attended, including engaging health professionals to prepare rehabilitation plans.

Arrest rates, nights in prison, emergency hospital visits and the number of people sleeping rough have all decreased since the creation of the court.

“The New Beginnings Court is just the start. We have proved the Homeless Action Plan delivers positive improvements and solutions for homeless people in Auckland, but we have so much more to achieve," says Dr Casey.

“We will continue to advocate for support and funding from the government to ultimately end homelessness in Auckland.”