22 Jul 2018

Rough sleepers could get reprieve at Auckland bus station

4:53 pm on 22 July 2018

A Manukau bus station could soon open its doors to rough sleepers overnight but the Salvation Army says a more permanent solution is needed.

While details are still being worked out, the plan is to provide shelter and food for 15 to 20 rough sleepers in the Manukau area for the month of August.

Salvation Army social policy analyst Alan Johnson said the organisation will provide supervision, mattresses and soup to those using the makeshift shelter.

However, Mr Johnson said it was not a long-term solution.

"We think that levels of street homelessness now are sort of at epidemic proportions across Auckland so it would be ideal if we could have some sort of good quality response and not simply expecting people to sleep on mattresses in a bus stop," he said.

Alan Johnson estimates there are about 50 rough sleepers in the Manukau area alone.

The Auckland Council, Salvation Army and Auckland Transport are jointly working on the plan.