Covid-19 Homeless wellbeing response team
On the 25th day of March 2020 at 11:59 pm, Aotearoa went into level 4 lockdown and many homeless whānau in Nelson, which included at least 50% Maori faced uncertain times.
The Civil Defence led a multiagency COVID - 19 Homeless Wellbeing Response team which included the Salvation Army, MSD, The Male Room, Public Health and Te Piki Oranga, who all worked alongside the Nelson Police. Within the first week of the lockdown, the team was able to relocate most of the city’s 70 odd homeless whānau from the streets into emergency accommodation. Food parcels, clothing, blankets and further wrap-around support was delivered to those affected by mental health, addictions, COVID - 19 related redundancies and those stranded in Nelson due to the lockdown restrictions. All have appreciated the warm, comfortable beds, food and support that was received, of which their gratitude is given to all the agencies involved.
Tony, an Alcoholic of 30 years and rough sleeper from the streets said, “I’m three weeks sober now, having all this support has given me the motivation, that maybe this is my chance to change. I want to do AOD counselling now. Mihi nui kia kuotou, e te Whānau o Te Piki Oranga”.
Dwayne who lost his job and became homeless said, “I was so stressed when I lost my job, I’ve never been homeless, I am so grateful to have a warm bed and have food. Kia Ora Whānau”.
Another anonymous whānau stated, “Thank you Te Piki Oranga, I lost my job, had nowhere to go, thank you so much, to be able to have food, clothing and blankets”.
Another anonymous whānau said, “I haven’t been homeless before, I haven’t touched drugs or alcohol for five years, now I split up with my wahine and kids, I went down-hill and hit the piss, but with this support you guys offer, I’m going to take this opportunity to seek AOD counselling and get back on my feet.
A whaea with her two sons stated, “We arrived in Nelson pre lockdown looking for mahi and a whare. But things changed with COVID, and we were forced to live in our car. Thank you for the emergency accommodation and kai”.
Dean, pictured in the photo below, best summed up what the majority of the homeless have expressed, “We are blessed to have all this aroha and support. Many of us are now thinking of the next step, this emergency accommodation is a good stepping stone, but it is a first step to go on to better things”.
