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Terrance De Souza, 70, has cycled in and out of emergency housing over the last few years. He had never been homeless before, but now fears he will have to live in a car with his dog.
Terrance De Souza just wants a home for himself and his dog. Now aged 70 and unable to get work for the first time in his life, De Souza has fewer than two weeks to find a house – or else he will be homeless. De Souza immigrated to New Zealand from Singapore 35 years ago and worked as a cleaner until leaving his job a few years ago due to health issues. He had been unable to find work since and had cycled in and out of emergency housing, most recently at Fernhill Motor Lodge, where he lives now.
Ross Giblin/Stuff
Michael Quan, who has multiple health issues, has been living in various motels for over a year. He is one of many people in the Wellington region living in emergency housing.
Emergency housing in the Wellington region has almost tripled over the last year, with the effects of Covid-19 and a shortage of affordable housing to blame for the “absolutely dire” crisis. The Ministry of Social Development has confirmed that 622 households are currently living in emergency housing throughout the larger Wellington region, which includes Wellington City, Johnsonville, Lower Hutt, Naenae, Newtown, Porirua, Upper Hutt, and Wainuiomata. This time last year 210 households in the region were living in emergency accommodation, almost three times fewer than the current amount.