New Zealand's homeless population growing: study

A growing number of New Zealanders are homeless, according to a study of official figures out Friday, highlighting the country's worsening housing crisis.

At least one in every 100 New Zealanders were homeless at the latest census in 2013, compared with 1 in 120 in 2006, and 1 in 130 in 2001, said University of Otago researchers.

"Homelessness is worsening in New Zealand in terms of both numbers and as a proportion of the population. This upward trend accelerated between the 2006 and 2013 censuses, compared with the 2001 and 2006 period," researcher Dr Kate Amore said in a statement.

"If the homeless population were a hundred people, 70 are staying with extended family or friends in severely crowded houses, 20 are in a motel, boarding house or camping ground, and 10 are living on the street, in cars, or in other improvised dwellings. They all urgently need affordable housing," said Amore.

The government needs to develop a comprehensive housing strategy that recognized the fundamental importance of good quality, low-cost homes, which private developers were not providing, she said.

"Housing for all is essential to New Zealanders' health and wellbeing as well as the country's prosperity. If no government action is taken this crisis is likely to deepen," she said.

Opposition lawmakers described the figures as shameful and tragic.

They followed the release Thursday of a draft government national policy statement, which would require local authorities to release more land for home building.

Auckland, the country's largest city and home to a third of the population, is forecast to see the average home price hit 1 million NZ dollars (683,100 U.S. dollars) - or 10 times the average Auckland income - in the next 12 months.

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand has repeatedly warned that soaring Auckland house prices are a risk to the country's financial stability. Endit