Accessing Housing First

Housing First helps get people who have been experiencing homelessness for at least a year back into permanent housing. Once they're in stable housing, it also provides tailored support for as long as necessary to help them stay in their homes and deal with the underlying issues that led to their homelessness.

Who is Housing First for?

Housing First is for individuals, families and whānau who:

have been sleeping rough, or in other places not designed for habitation (e.g. in cars or unconverted garages) for at least 12 months over the past three years
have high or complex support needs
need intensive ongoing support services to help them stay housed.

There are no conditions people need to meet, such as sobriety or mental health treatment, to qualify for Housing First support.

The Rapid Rehousing programme is available for people who don't meet Housing First eligibility criteria, e.g. they've been experiencing homelessness for less than 12 months and have low-to-medium support needs. See more about Rapid Rehousing(external link).

Accessing Housing First

Housing First support service providers reach out to people experiencing homelessness, particularly people experiencing street homelessness or rough sleeping.

Frontline health, mental health, income support, police, education, probation, iwi and community services can also make referrals to Housing First support services.

Location of Housing First support services

Mid-Far North

Service

Providers

Locations

Hau Kāinga - Kāinga Whenua

He Korowai Trust(external link)

Kaitaia

Whangārei

Service	Providers	Locations
Kāinga Pūmanawa	Kāhui Tū Kaha(external link)	Whangārei
	Ngāti Hine Health Trust(external link)	Whangārei
	One Double Five Whare Awhina Community House Trust(external link)	Whangārei

Auckland

Service	Providers	Locations
Housing First Auckland	Auckland City Mission(external link)	Central Auckland
	Kāhui Tū Kaha(external link)	Central and West Auckland
	Lifewise(external link)	Central Auckland
	LinkPeople(external link)	South Auckland
	VisionWest(external link)	West Auckland

Hamilton

Service	Providers	Locations
The People’s Project Hamilton	The People’s Project(external link)	Hamilton

Tauranga

Service	Providers	Locations
The People’s Project Tauranga	The People’s Project(external link)	Tauranga

Rotorua

Service	Providers	Locations
Mangatakitahi	Te Taumata o Ngāti Whakaue Iho Ake(external link)	Rotorua

Hawke's Bay

Service	Providers	Locations
Housing First Hawkes Bay	Whatever It Takes Charitable Trust(external link)	Napier

Wellington

Service	Providers	Locations
Aro Mai - Housing First Collaboration Wellington(external link)	DCM(external link)	Wellington
Kahungunu Whānau Services	Kahungunu Whānau Services(external link)	Wellington and Hutt Valley

Nelson

Service	Providers	Locations
Housing First Nelson	The Salvation Army(external link)	Nelson

Blenheim

Service	Providers	Locations
Housing First Blenheim	Christchurch Methodist Mission(external link)	Blenheim

Christchurch

Service	Providers	Locations
Te Waipounamu CHP Network	Christchurch Methodist Mission(external link)	Christchurch