Homeless action plan 2006-2007

Work strand 1: Oversight of homeless and public space issues:

Auckland City Council has the civic responsibility of giving oversight to its public spaces. This project strand develops alternative responses to the current practices of 'moving on' homeless and marginalised people. The work is done in partnership with key stakeholders to support a coordinated, collaborative and proactive response to homeless.

Objective	Activities	Milestones	Date	Status
Training for front-line staff To develop a training package and conduct ongoing training for front-line staff: to build awareness about homelessness to equip staff for a proactive response.	Organise fourth batch of orientation training for council frontline staff, including new staff that may have joined in the last 7-8 months (parks officers, ambassadors, parking wardens, libraries and other interested staff).	Training package promoted through internal media; Staff identified Training conducted.	August 2007 March 2008	On-going
Information cards Provide information card to frontline staff outlining key services for homeless people.	Update and re-print information cards for use by frontline staff and Project Outreach.	Information cards reprinted.	March 2008	On-going
		Distribute cards as required.	March 2008	On-going
Complaint management system Oversee the complaint management system.	Work with internal stakeholders - ambassador programme, call centre, Auckland City Environments to oversee the complaint management system.	Process for notifying and informing the after-hours outreach team in place.	28 February 2007	Completed
		Follow-up and coordinated response to manage public space issues.	On-going	On-going
		Reports concerning updates on the HAP, and analysis about complaints and referrals provided to Executive Committee, and Community Development and Equity Committee every 6 months.	June and December 2007 June and December 2008	On-going

Work strand 2: Outreach services

The outreach services is a collaborative project of key stakeholders. It aims to provide mobile after-hours services of multi-disciplinary teams to homeless people on the street. It will increase professional contact in the community with homeless people who do not usually access services.

Objective	Activities	Milestones	Date	Status
After hours outreach team Oversee Project Outreach in partnership with stakeholders - Auckland City Mission, Methodist Mission Northern and the Salvation Army.	Receive progress reports on the outreach service.	Reports received	June 2007 August 2007 November 2007 March 2008	Completed Ongoing
	Review progress with the Chief Executives of the partner organisations and plan the second year of the project.	Review of the first period of work of the outreach service completed; Council contribution towards project confirmed for the second year. Key information and trends fed-back to reporting for the Homeless Action Plan.	Ongoing	In progress
Assess additional resourcing for outreach services.	Identify key government and community agencies to be approached to support outreach services.	Auckland District Health Board and Ministry of Social Development, Housing New Zealand Corporation and the Department of Justice approached for support.	November 2007	In progress
Review the outreach services.	Terms of reference for review developed and agreed to.	A review contract is tendered.	March 2008	To be planned

Work strand 3: Accommodation

The aim is to work with government and not-for-profit agencies and to address gaps in crisis accommodation. These gaps particularly relate to women and children, and youth. Existing services will be encouraged to address best practice issues relating to their specific accommodation needs. Advocacy for crisis accommodation for the homeless population is an ongoing process. This work strand will be progressed in 2007- 2008.

Objective	Activities	Milestones	Date	Status
Identify options and leverage opportunities to rectify shortfalls in emergency accommodation.	Follow-up on (Rossane Haggerty) options as discussed at forum and HAP meetings.	Possible approaches for on going projects agreed by council and ministries.	November 2007	In progress
	Working group meetings to analyse existing resources, identify gaps and outline options.	Final option for accommodation for homeless people outlined and project plans developed.	April 2008	To be planned

Work strand 4: Leadership and public awareness

The three aims are:

To promote proactive responses around issues of homelessness. One objective is to advocate for the housing needs of the homeless. Auckland City Council is not involved in housing but will advocate with the central government and other agencies to improve shortfalls.
To scope new initiatives such as the establishment of the street paper - the Big Issue, and the participation of Auckland's homeless in the soccer world cup for marginalised groups.
To promote knowledge and awareness around issues of homelessness through the hosting of annual forums, dialogue with key stakeholders on strategic directions and media promotions around significant events.

Objective	Activities	Milestones	Date	Status
Hold ongoing discussions with all relevant external partners about the Homeless Action Plan.	Organise meeting of key social service providers, Auckland City Mission, Methodist Mission Northern and the Salvation Army, with the Mayor to discuss strategic plans and future directions.	Meeting convened and future strategies and directions discussed.	July 2007	In progress
New Zealand Coalition to End Homelessness (NZCEH) is a national action group constituted from the 2nd homeless national forum.	Promote national dialogue and policy framework to respond to issues of homelessness.	Terms of reference formulated and agree.	June - August 2007	In progress
	Participate in NZCEH Terms of reference formulated for the NZCEH	Action areas and tasks agreed as per meetings every 6 - 8 weeks. National group meeting held in Auckland.	July 2007	In progress
Support initiatives to promote public awareness on homelessness.	Contribute partial funding for the production of documentary film on homelessness.	Film produced and screened at appropriate forums.	November 2007	In progress
	Support Parity magazine's special issue focussing on homelessness in New Zealand.	Format of support agreed upon at the national coalition meeting.	July - November 2007	In progress
	Plan and conduct a half day local forum on response to homelessness.	Half-day forum held, the documentary film screened, and results of the outreach services presented.	November - March 2007	To be planned
Identify opportunities to promote wellbeing of homeless: The Big Issue Homeless Soccer World Cup	The scoping exercise has led to the conclusion that at present the ideas of establishing the magazine, the Big Issue and participation in the Homeless Soccer World Cup will not be pursued. Key considerations are: Low market viability of the magazine in its current model of production and marketing. Insufficient interest and low priority from potential stakeholders and sponsors	Not applicable	No further action	No further action

Updated July 2007