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Understandings of Homelessness in Aotearoa New Zealand and how they Impact a Local Response: A Case Study of The People’s Project in Hamilton A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Population Studies at The University of Waikato by Renée Frances Shum 2021 ii | Page Abstract Administrative and census data documented the increase of homelessness in Aotearoa New Zealand between 2006 and 2018. At the same time, homelessness increased in significance as a social issue. In 2009, the first New Zealand definition of homelessness was published by Statistics New Zealand. In 2013, a rigorous definition of severe housing deprivation was conceptualised by New Zealand academics. However, New Zealand governments ignored these definitions as the basis for formal recognition and enumeration of homelessness, leaving questions around the composition of homelessness in New Zealand open to debate. Informed by academic literature on understandings of homelessness and government responses to homelessness in Australia, Canada and the United States of America, this thesis examines governmental understandings and public sector considerations of homelessness in New Zealand between 2008 and 2018. It traces the influence of New Zealand central governmental understandings of homelessness on the response to homelessness at a local level in Hamilton city. Using The People’s Project in Hamilton as a case study, this research evaluates some of the challenges and opportunities of coordinating a system-wide approach and Housing First response to homelessness in the New Zealand context. Results from a systematic review of academic and grey literature, and semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders from both public sector agencies and The People’s Project, reveal nuanced geographies of homelessness at national and local scales. The dominant political discourse employs limited meanings and constrains understandings of homelessness. As a form of cultural signification, this political discourse coalesced with locally specific factors inform a response to homelessness in Hamilton. The political ambivalence of Housing First provided an opportunity to both remove the visible presence of homelessness in Hamilton, and for The People’s Project to drive systems disruption with public sector services. Lack of a central government mandate limited efforts at the local level in Hamilton for the public sector to respond to homelessness. The findings of this research confirm that a consistent understanding of homelessness is instrumental in supporting an effective response to end and prevent homelessness. As the New Zealand Government implements its first ever homelessness action plan, it is imperative that central government implement all of the necessary changes to ensure public sector systems support rather than hinder local efforts in response to homelessness. Crucially, the government needs to ensure that whatever policy settings are put in place are responsive to New Zealand specific manifestations of homelessness. iii | Page Acknowledgements I would like to firstly express my sincere and deepest appreciation to my supervisors, Dr Colin McLeay, Associate Professor Polly Atatoa Carr, and Professor Damian Collins for their unwavering support and continued encouragement. Thank you for always having confidence in my abilities, this thesis would not have been possible without your time, energy and expertise to guide me through what has been a challenging but fulfilling journey. Thank you to my participants for their enthusiasm and willingness to share their invaluable perspectives and experiences. A special thanks to The People’s Project team, particularly Julie, Kerry and Carole, who have been incredibly generous with their time and efforts. Your unparalleled knowledge and insights have been instrumental in shaping my understanding of such a complex issue. I would also like to extend my thanks to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment Endeavour fund and the Thomas-Pay-it-Forward Scholarship which made this research possible. To the staff and students at the National Institute of Demographic and Economic Analysis (NIDEA) and the Geography Programme, thank you for inspiring me in my time as an undergraduate and graduate student at the University of Waikato. I will forever value the connections I made and the experiences I had during my time as a student. To The Rauhī Project whanau and community, of which I am so incredibly honoured to have been a part, thank you for bringing joy and music into my life. I can’t wait to see what all of you will achieve in the future. Mariah, Leah, Jesse and Trent – thanks for all of the laughs, game nights and side adventures along the way. To the Perry-Lane-Lowe-Simpson clan, I will be forever grateful for all of the distractions and fond memories created over incredible food and perfectly brewed cups of tea. Deb and Jim, thank you for all of the wholesome conversations and for providing an oasis for us introverts. My heartfelt thanks go to John Ryks who started me on this journey and who kept this turkey brain somewhat sane along the way! To my biggest support crew - Chi Man, Caroline, Thomas, Isobel, Terence, Stephanie, Jessica and my incredible husband Jack, thank you for surrounding me with laughter and boundless love, always. Finally, my deepest gratitude to my late mother Madeline, for inspiring me to live a life led by kindness, and for being the greatest example of having strength against adversity. iv | Page Table of Contents Abstract ......................................................................................................................................................... iii Acknowledgements .................................................................................................................................... iv List of Figures ............................................................................................................................................... ix List of Tables .................................................................................................................................................. x List of Abbreviations .................................................................................................................................. xi Chapter One: Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Rationale ................................................................................................................................................ 1 1.2 How and why Homelessness Emerged as a Major Policy Problem in New Zealand……………………………………………………………………………………………………………...8 1.2.1 The New Zealand policy context 1970’s - current ...................................................... 8 1.2.2 Housing policy and social housing in New Zealand ................................................ 9 1.2.3 Government inquiries into homelessness .................................................................. 11 1.2.4 The low profile of homelessness in New Zealand .................................................. 16 1.2.5 Recent Government initiatives ..................................................................................... 18 1.3 Housing First Literature Overview ............................................................................................. 19 1.4 Aim and Research Objectives ...................................................................................................... 27 1.5 Research Structure .......................................................................................................................... 29 Chapter Two: Understanding Homelessness: A Systematic Review of Definitions, Conceptualisations and Representations of Homelessness ....................................................... 31 2.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 31 2.2 Methods .............................................................................................................................................. 32 2.2.1 Systematic Literature Review Purpose and Process ............................................... 32 Information Sources ............................................................................................................................. 34 2.3 Results ................................................................................................................................................. 36 2.3.1 Conceptualisations of homelessness-theoretical approaches to causation ..... 39 2.3.2 Conceptualisations