Editorial: Homeless problem priority for Govt

About 40 local people camped out in the carparking building on Pukuatua St to support and raise funds for Lifewise's Big Sleepout on Thursday to raise awareness of homelessness.

Those that are truly homeless in our city, people I have interviewed in the past, have very different stories to tell about their experiences.

The recent outpouring of love for Rotorua and New Zealand's homeless population is admirable.

And on Thursday night about 40 local people camped out in the carparking building on Pukuatua St to support and raise funds for Lifewise's Big Sleepout.

A whopping $36,000 was raised in Rotorua alone.
Some of our local homeless supporters spent the night in the relatively cosy confines of the carparking building - covered by a roof, with tarpaulins set up to keep out the wind.

Many camped out in expensive sleeping bags, beanies and scarfs, well rugged up for the "bone-chilling" 6C night wearing Ugg boots, with tea and coffee on hand.

They got dinner and a breakfast the next morning.
Many looked like they had a nice spongy mat to sleep on and plenty of other people around to keep them company, sing and generally have a fun night with friends.

Don't get me wrong, I applaud their efforts for bringing attention to an issue that seems to be getting worse year on year and I understand completely why they did it.
Those that are truly homeless in our city, people I have interviewed in the past, have very different stories to tell about their experiences.

Like alcohol and drug addictions, trying to fit in after a stretch in prison, the feelings of loss and abandonment that have led many of them to live the lives they do.
They don't sleep in the carparking building, they get moved along by security. They sleep rough in gardens and parks, in alleyways or wrapped up around the pipes of a geothermal bore.

They endure freezing conditions with little more than a blanket to keep warm. Their clothes are old and tattered, their shoes worn out.

Love them or hate them, these people are citizens of this wonderful country. They are some of the worst off and they need our help. This is not unique to big cities, this is a nationwide problem that should be a priority of our government, not organisations like Lifewise, who have been set up to fill the gap the Government does not, or will not fill.