COVID-19 Response to People who are Homeless in Christchurch

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (MHUD) has contracted motel units across a number of complexes in Christchurch for people who are currently homeless. Housing First is a collaboration of 6 agencies (Christchurch Methodist Mission, Comcare, Emerge Aotearoa, City Mission, Ōtautahi Community Housing Trust and Te Whare Roimata).

Referrals to the motels are able to be made through Housing First (Tel: 0800 43 24 24). The person will then be contacted by the Housing First team, details sought and they will be allocated to one of the motels. The motelier will be advised that the person is coming.  If they are not able to walk to the motel, Housing First are able to collect them.

Housing First will allocate a key worker to each homeless person for support during the lock down period.  This will be via phone. If the homeless person does not have a phone, this will be provided.

Housing First will also assist with emergency food for those in motels and will coordinate with their dedicated Work and Income staff person to ensure they are receiving their full benefit entitlements.

Drug-ARM has been allocated funding through the Christchurch City Council Mayor’s Welfare Committee for food for people who are homeless. They are currently coordinating this through Housing First.

Please note:

1. There is no cost to the person to stay in the motel; the priority is to ensure that they have a place to self-isolate.

2. This service is available for anyone who is homeless. They do NOT need to meet the usual Housing First criteria.

If you require any further information, please contact either Nicola Fleming (Housing First Team Leader) on 027 641 5607 or Jill Hawkey (Director of Christchurch Methodist Mission) on 021 157 4692