Monthly sector blog - March

Written By Ellie Campbell

This is a monthly blog series written by Coalition to End Women’s Homelessness Kaihautū Dr Kathie Irwin, Project Director Victoria Crockford, and Collective Impact Lead Amanda Kelly.

A core part of our mahi is ongoing engagement with iwi, organisations, leaders, and community groups working in the homelessness sector, and these relationships shape our work at CEWH every day. This monthly blog shares reflections on what we are seeing across the sector, including the work we are engaging with and learning from.

State of the Nation 2026: What the data tells us

The Salvation Army recently released their State of the Nation 2026 report, which assesses the wellbeing of Aotearoa by examining outcomes that impact people and communities. The report looks at measures across several areas: Children and Youth, Work and Incomes, Housing, Crime and Punishment, Social Hazards, and Māori Wellbeing through Te Ora o Te Whānau.

The aim is to identify trends and outcomes at a national level, providing a snapshot of the overall state of the nation at the start of 2026. 

The report highlights the multiple, intersecting pathways that can lead to homelessness. Currently, more than 57,000 women in Aotearoa are experiencing homelessness, with over one third identifying as Māori.

  • Gender pay inequities (especially for Māori and Pacific women)

  • Rising unemployment and economic strain

  • More children are growing up in hardship and benefit-dependent households

  • Increased abuse, neglect and family violence

  • High mental distress among young people

  • Overrepresentation of Māori tamariki and rangatahi in state care — reflecting systemic pressures (poverty, housing instability, inequitable access to services), not whānau failure

  • Poverty and material hardship

  • Housing instability and limited access to affordable, culturally aligned housing

Housing instability sits at the centre - disrupting connections to whenua, whānau, hapū and iwi, and eroding identity, belonging and wellbeing.

Ending women’s homelessness requires addressing the systems driving inequality and supporting Te Tiriti-honouring, community-led solutions that strengthen hauora, housing stability and belonging.

Evaluating fifth-year outcomes housing first for women in Aotearoa New Zealand
Brodie Fraser, Terence Jiang, Clare Aspinall, Tiria Pehi, Jenny Ombler, Carole McMinn, Polly Atatoa-Carr, Ayodeji Fasoro, Kerry Hawkes, Julie Nelson & Nevil Pierse

This study demonstrates that five years after being housed through a Housing First programme, women experienced substantial improvements in health service interactions, including a 65% reduction in hospitalisations and increased access to pharmaceuticals, highlighting the effectiveness of this approach in addressing homelessness among women.

The findings from Evaluating fifth-year outcomes Housing First for women in Aotearoa New Zealand are particularly valuable because they provide rare long-term evidence about what works for women experiencing homelessness. Longitudinal research like this helps policymakers, practitioners and communities understand the sustained impacts of housing interventions over time, rather than only short-term outcomes. The study adds important insight into how stable housing can support women’s health, wellbeing and access to essential services.

We want to acknowledge and thank the research team behind this study - this work is both technically rigorous and deeply meaningful for understanding women’s housing outcomes.

Read the research here

Read about it on NewZealandDoctor.co.nz here

Christchurch Methodist Mission invites you to a panel discussion, lunch and exhibition in Wellington

Solutions to the Older Persons Housing Crisis

Date: Wednesday, 25 March
Time: 12.00pm – 1.30pm
Venue: Loaves & Fishes, 2 Hill Street, Thorndon, Wellington
Register: Here

The panel will feature:

  • Kay Saville-Smith, Research Director, Centre for Research Evaluation and Social Assessment (CRESA)

  • Yvonne Wilson, Strategic Relationships Manager – Housing, Te Rūnanga o Kirikiriroa

  • Andrea Elliott, Tumu Whakarae (Chief Executive), Te Rūnanga o Kirikiriroa

  • Denise Cosgrove, Chief Executive, The Selwyn Foundation

The panel will be chaired by Paul Gilberd, Chief Executive Officer, Community Housing Aotearoa.

Lunch will be served from 12.00pm. Attendees will also have the opportunity to view the Listen Up! Seniors Take a Stand on Housing – WHAKARONGO MAI! E tū tohe ana ngā kaumātua mō ngā take whare activist exhibition, on display at the Wellington Cathedral of St Paul.

This event is free and open to the public.

We value our connections, partnerships, and networks, and are always keen to build new relationships. If you’d like to kōrero or connect, please get in touch at admin@cewh.org

We look forward to sharing reflections, stories, and developments with you in the coming months.

Ngā mihi,

Kathie, Victoria and Amanda

Ellie Campbell
Next

Monthly sector blog - February