Horrifying Conditions Unveiled: Homeless People Forced to Live in Neglected Boarding Houses, Urgent Action Needed
Homeless individuals in Dunedin, New Zealand, are being subjected to appalling living conditions in neglected boarding houses, according to a harrowing investigation by the Otago Daily Times (ODT). The social failure is compounded by a state system in which homeless people’s rent is paid directly to private boarding house landlords through their benefits. Shockingly, some of these landlords provide grim and diabolical rooms for approximately $1000 per month.
The investigation reveals that the problem goes beyond the dilapidated state of the buildings. Homeless individuals are crammed into these boarding houses, faced with daily risks, and are not receiving the social or medical help they desperately need to rebuild their lives. Dunedin’s deputy mayor, Sophie Barker, has expressed her horror and disgust at the revelations and has pledged to request a council report on boarding houses and homelessness.
While a few boarding houses showed evidence of higher standards and provided some support, others exposed homeless individuals to a deadly mix of decrepit living conditions, neglect, and risks from violence, drugs, and other anti-social behaviors. The rooms in which homeless people reside are often stinking and chaotic, with bare, stained mattresses a common sight.
The ODT interviewed tenants of various ages, including young people with uncertain futures and older individuals suffering from chronic diseases such as emphysema. Disturbingly, stories emerged of a resident’s body being discovered days after their death, dissolved into the mattress in one boarding house. In two other houses, aging residents were required to go outside to access a toilet.
The Ministry of Social Development (MSD), responsible for social welfare, does not vet landlords. According to the MSD, individuals make their own decisions about the suitability of their accommodation. However, Deputy Prime Minister Carmel Sepuloni was unable to respond to the ODT’s request for comment by the deadline.
Dunedin City Council housing policy adviser Gill Brown stated that the council is working within its housing plan to address homelessness and will update council members next month regarding a city-wide approach that includes boarding houses. In response to the investigation, Paul Barber, policy lead for the Salvation Army, called for homeless people to be given the opportunity to escape their tragic and harrowing experiences. He emphasized the need for comprehensive support and regulation for boarding houses.
David McKenzie, manager of the Dunedin Night Shelter, labeled the current system a wicked problem. Despite good intentions from the government, charities, and individuals, the system contributes to more mental health problems, addictions, and criminal behavior. Homeless individuals are left with a no-win choice between living on the streets or entering poor-quality accommodation, which often attracts vulnerable individuals.
Kim Brash, property manager of Purple Properties, which operates one of the higher-end boarding houses visited by the ODT, emphasized that looking after people’s welfare should never be superseded by profit. Other boarding house owners in Dunedin also expressed the need for greater support for homeless individuals, highlighting that most of the people they house do not fit into normal society and lack the necessary help to lead a healthy lifestyle. They called for more hands-on support and a shift away from an it’s not my problem mentality.
This investigation sheds light on the alarming state of housing for homeless individuals in Dunedin, exposing the dire conditions they endure. With urgent action needed, the community must come together to ensure that all residents have access to safe and suitable housing. The city council, government agencies, and charities must work collaboratively to implement strategies that offer wrap-around support and improve the regulation of boarding houses. By prioritizing the welfare and well-being of homeless individuals, society can address this pressing issue and create conditions in which the whole community flourishes.
