Policy
Richards undertook an analysis of the issue of homelessness in Aotearoa for the New Zealand Coalition to End Homelessness.[1] Richards’ main conclusion was that the lack of clearly defined responsibility for homelessness lent to an uncoordinated approach to the problem.[2] He proposes that central government policy be developed to set formulas of interaction between other actors addressing homelessness.[3] A panel should be formed to create a nation-wide Homelessness Strategy that clearly indicates lines of responsibility and identifies the roles of each organisation or sector involved. The team responsible for forming this should then also conduct a policy audit of other government departments to ascertain their effects on homelessness and how they can help to achieve the goal of ending homelessness. Richards works with a definition of homelessness similar to that outlined by Statistics New Zealand.[4] This definition would then sit behind developed policy to ensue that all forms of homelessness were then considered. Once lines of responsibility were developed, policies at each level of action should be formed to work to intervene in and prevent homelessness in ways that are culturally sensitive. Policy should reflect a concern for human rights, an approach somewhat similar to the capabilities approach. Human rights protect the key needs that humans need to function. In this sense, they align with Nussbaum’s capabilities approach to human flourishing. If policy was to contain a concern for recognising and upholding the human rights of the homeless (including the right to shelter), this would help to provide a minimum standard of living for all in New Zealand.[5] The only drawback to such an approach is that the capabilities approach offers a more nuanced account of human needs, and includes the importance of the social bases of self-respect, play, empathy and love.
Programmes
As Richards’ recommendations have not been implemented, there is no related rate of homelessness for this option. However, his guidelines for programmes and services may still be of some value to this work, as they consider how to improve existing services offered to the homeless in New Zealand. Richards argues that local organisations need to focus on preventative strategies.[6] Local organisations should focus on specific demographic groups or forms of need, in order to provide the best range of services and avoid overlapping and inefficient services. Relationships between organisations need to involve excellent communication and case-handling procedures to ensure people do not miss out on the assistance they need by transitioning out of services too early. Collecting case data and information on people’s histories would help create a system that could understand and respond to the needs of individuals and ensure their information is passed from agency to agency.