Homeless campaigner issues challenge to Rotorua council

Friday, 27 July 2018

Rotorua homeless campaigner Tiny Deane has hit back at claims made by Rotorua's mayor over the closure of Rotorua's night shelter.

Homeless campaigner Tiny Deane has hit back at Rotorua Lakes Council claims they had yet to receive the necessary paperwork for his now closed shelter - and issued a challenge of his own.

Deane spoke to Stuff the day after Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick called a press conference to discuss the homeless shelter closure.

Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick is standing by claims night shelter paperwork was still outstanding.

She reiterated council's position that the building could not be used for sleeping in the absence of the proper building consents, and raised the spectre of the Grenfell Tower fire tragedy that left 72 people dead in London.

'Not on my watch would I have a Grenfell Tower…we would never allow that.'

Members of Rotorua's homeless community took their call for a night shelter direct to council at a hikoi in June.

* Mayor offers Rotorua homeless Housing First hope

* Homeless campaigner hopes to put wake-ups to bed at night shelter

* Hikoi for homeless in Rotorua**

She also took aim at Deane, saying consent applications and reports promised by his Visions of a Helping Hand Trust had yet to be received by council.

'We've yet to see those reports, that amazes me,' she said.

Deane said he 'nearly choked' when he heard Chadwick's comments because he was sure the reports on the Night Shelter had been filed.

Deane had a challenge of his own too, asking council to hold a joint press conference on the issue with Visions.

'I'm not really trying to put the heat on them. I just want them to be honest.'

However, a council spokesperson reiterated the Mayor's stance and said that as of Wednesday's media briefing, the necessary reports had not been received by council.

They also said media would be notified 'when/if' a joint media conference takes place.

Deane also took issue with comments made by council that they began looking into providing bag storage and shower facilities back in April.

'They've done nothing to help with their bags, we have. They use our showers.'

Unsurprisingly, Chadwick's comments also drew criticism from Mayoral runner-up and Rotorua District Residents and Ratepayers' group secretary Reynold Macpherson.

'The comparison with Grenfell Tower was sick,' he said.

He also backed Deane's claims that the relevant night shelter paperwork had been submitted.

Stuff also contacted the Ministry of Social Development for comment after Chadwick said she had received assurances that no-one would have to sleep rough in Rotorua unless they want to.

Mike Bryant, the MSD Bay of Plenty Regional Commissioner, said they had staff at the homeless drop-in centre every morning this week asking if people need accommodation or financial assistance from Work and Income.

'We've helped nine rough sleepers into emergency accommodation this week, which is often a motel or hotel,' he said.

'For a while we have had a contract with Visions of Helping Hands to support six families or individuals with transitional housing as well as providing wrap-around support with mental health, addiction services and budgeting.

'In the year to March 2018, the Rotorua Work and Income team helped more than 260 families with emergency housing grants, with payments reaching more than $895,000.'

Bryant also said a trained beneficiary advocate would be on duty at the Citizens Advice Bureau to offer help with Work and Income queries.

Bryant's comments were echoed by an MSB spokesperson who promised 'no one will be homeless if they come to us'.

The spokesperson said that they were confident in the capacity of Rotorua's hotels, motels and hostels but admitted precise numbers of available beds couldn't be provided.

'It's a supply and demand challenge,' they said.