Economic Instability
Unemployment
Job loss and insufficient income are primary drivers of homelessness.
Affordable Housing
A critical shortage of affordable housing exacerbates the problem, with many spending over 30% of their income on rent.
Health Issues
Mental Health
Approximately 20-25% of the homeless population suffers from severe mental illness. Homelessness exacerbates mental health issues and is often the cause.
Addiction
Substance use disorders affect a significant portion of the homeless population, complicating efforts to secure stable housing.
Social Factors
Domestic Violence
Survivors of domestic violence often flee their homes without adequate support, leading to homelessness.
Youth and Foster Care
Youth ageing out of the foster care system face high risks of homelessness due to a lack of support and resources.
Colonisation and Historical Trauma
Educational and Economic Outcomes
Māori median weekly income is less than the median weekly income for all non-Māori groups, and while there are improvements in educational attainment statistics, it is slightly lower for Māori than other groups.
Life Expectancy
Māori have a lower life expectancy at birth than non-Māori.
Poor health outcomes
Māori have higher hospitalisation rates for many conditions, are more likely to die from cancer and are more likely to have diabetes than non-Māori.