\u201cOur main streets and town centres have been blighted by disruption and disturbance,\u201d he claimed. \u201cBusinesses are declining as some bad behaviour goes unchecked. It needs to stop.\u201d<\/p>\n
Goldsmith said police had limited powers to respond.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt means many disruptive, distressing, and potentially harmful acts can occur before officers have any means of intervention. It doesn\u2019t make sense.\u201d<\/p>\n
Housing advocate Carol Peters said the proposal was the catalyst she needed to go \u201call out\u201d on the emergency night\u2011shelter concept she had been developing for several years. <\/p>\n
Housing advocate Carol Peters. Photo \/ NZME<\/p>\n
A meeting of agency stakeholders and members of the homeless community is being held tomorrow to identify viable options. <\/p>\n
Peters acknowledged homelessness was complex and long-term housing solutions were crucial<\/a>. While a night shelter was only a stop-gap measure, it would be a necessary step if the policy was actioned, she said. <\/p>\n \u201cYou can\u2019t move people on when there is literally nowhere for them to go.\u201d<\/p>\n Peters said a shelter would need funding from central Government. <\/p>\n \u201cIf the Government was going to introduce a policy forcing people away from public spaces then it must also fund safe, appropriate places for them to go to.\u201d<\/p>\n Peters said emergency shelters could not be one\u2011size\u2011fits\u2011all: facilities for youth and people with addictions would need specialist staff and clinical support, while families and older adults needed secure, separate sleeping spaces that protected dignity and safety.<\/p>\nRough sleeper Jason Poutai appreciates the food services provided by Whare \u0100whina for the homeless community but says a night shelter and community ablutions facility is also desperately needed. Photo \/ Denise Piper<\/p>\n