480 families living in their cars in June, up from 102 in October, 2017

An answer during Parliamentary question time has revealed how many families are living in cars and vans - or, rather, how many of those registering with authorities are. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The Kākā

TL:DR: This will be a short email and not that sweet, but I think it summarises where Aotearoa is deep in the winter of 2023. There were 480 families in Aotearoa who told authorities when they were listed on the housing register that they lived in a car, up from 102 families in October, 2017.

Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment Priyanca Radakrishnan gave the figures in the answer to this question in Parliament yesterday from National Housing Spokesman Chris Bishop.

I’m going to let that sit there today, ahead of our hoon at 5pm. I’m travelling to Hamilton today so won’t be able to do the midday ‘Ask me Anything.’

I have opened it up for all. Many thanks to paying subscribers who support this coverage of our housing, climate and poverty crises.

Ka kite ano

See you all at 5pm.

Bernard