Types of Homelessness, Beyond Sleeping Rough
When it comes to homelessness in Aotearoa, the image of someone sleeping on the streets is often what comes to mind. But the reality is far broader and often hidden in plain sight. Understanding the different types of homelessness and hearing the real, human stories behind the numbers is essential for recognising the challenges faced by friends and whānau who are doing it tough.
Chances are, you’ve seen what homelessness looks like on your daily commute to work or in the city during a night out. But have you stopped to think about what it looks like beyond someone sleeping rough? The stats might surprise you.
Stats NZ defines homelessness as a living situation where people – with no other options to acquire safe and secure housing – are:
Without shelter.
Living on the street or in makeshift dwellings such as cars or shacks.
In temporary accommodation
Staying in hostels, women’s refuges, transitional housing, or boarding houses not intended for long-term living.
Sharing accommodation
Staying in someone else’s private dwelling in a temporary or insecure way.
Uninhabitable housing
Living situations where people reside in a dilapidated dwelling.
The latest 2023 Census data indicated that 2.3% of Kiwis are experiencing homelessness — or what Stats NZ calls severe housing deprivation. That’s nearly one in every 38 people.
Yet, despite the scale of the issue, our understanding as a country doesn’t always match reality. A recent study we commissioned through YouGov surveyed over 1,000 New Zealanders and found that only one in seven Kiwis feels very confident in defining homelessness correctly. While nearly two-thirds (64%) said they were somewhat or very confident, and almost half (49%) were only “somewhat confident.”
That means the vast majority of people experiencing homelessness are those you’d never guess – just every day Kiwis who are struggling against financial hardship, often invisible to the public eye. Homelessness could be a family in a motel, not knowing how long they can afford the room for, a young person couch surfing, or someone living in a car.
As we approach World Homeless Day, it’s a chance to look beyond stereotypes and better understand how homelessness and hardship really look in our communities. This article will guide you through understanding the data and definitions, so you’re better informed to support those doing it tough.
Homelessness, hardship, and disconnection from community often go hand in hand and for many people, the journey from struggling to pay the bills to finding themselves without a stable home is shortening. It’s a story our tūao (volunteers) know all too well.
Everyone deserves a safe place to call home – somewhere that meets the most basic standards of security, comfort, and hygiene. But right now, more than 112,496 people in Aotearoa are experiencing homelessness and living in situations that fall short of those standards.
New Zealand has one of the highest rates of homelessness among OECD countries (OECD Affordable Housing Database, 2020). Worryingly, OECD data also shows that homelessness is growing worldwide, with the impacts of the pandemic making things even harder for many.
Orange Sky exists to positively connect communities across New Zealand and Australia. This World Homelessness Day, we’re tackling misconceptions by talking about homelessness, sharing stories and educating the wider community so you’re better informed to better support those doing it tough.
What are the three types of homelessness?
PRIMARY HOMELESSNESS (ROUGH SLEEPING)
Primary homelessness includes people who are rough sleeping or living in improvised dwellings such as tents or cars – the kind of homelessness that might spring to mind when you picture it. According to the 2023 Census, those living without shelter (roofless or rough sleepers, living in an improvised dwelling or shelter, or living in a mobile dwelling) increased 29.5%, from 7.8 per 10,000 people in 2018 to 10.1 per 10,000 in 2023.
While rough sleeping is the most visible form of homelessness, it actually makes up only a portion of the total – around 1 in 300 people across the motu.
In Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, the council notes that homelessness has grown by 90% since last September, highlighting the increasing pressures on whānau across the city.
Rangatahi (youth) are particularly affected in this area, with half of all people experiencing homelessness being under 25. This challenges common stereotypes and reminds us that homelessness can happen to anyone, not just rough sleepers, but whānau, young people, or working individuals who are doing their best to get by.
These realities are felt every day in our communities. Kenny, a man in his forties, has been experiencing homelessness in Tāmaki Makaurau on and off since 2018. “Being on the streets is never going to be easy. Time is always against you,” he reflects. At first, he relied on public laundromats and swimming pool showers in South Auckland to get by, but the costs quickly added up. That’s when Orange Sky became a lifeline.
Kenny’s experience isn’t rare and it’s a powerful reminder of how quickly someone’s life can change due to financial pressure, illness, or housing instability.
Secondary homelessness includes people who move frequently between temporary accommodation, such as emergency shelters, refuges, or stay with friends and family. This is often referred to as hidden homelessness, because it isn’t always obvious from the outside.
Tertiary homelessness refers to people living in overcrowded, substandard, or insecure housing, such as boarding houses or long-term motels, where there’s little stability, privacy, or access to essential facilities.
The truth is that homelessness can impact anyone, and sometimes all it takes is a rental increase, the loss of employment, or an unfortunate circumstance. Listening to people’s lived experiences – like Kenny reminds us that behind every statistic is a real person, doing their best in tough circumstances.
Tūao like Kat and Gregg are at the heart of Orange Sky’s kaupapa — just as important as a single load of laundry or shower. Every time they sit down with friends and whānau, share a laugh, and create a sense of belonging.
The truth is, you never know when you might need that kind of support yourself. “Things can change so quickly,” Kat shares. “You could be a lawyer today and living in your car tomorrow. No one is immune to homelessness.”
Homelessness is complex and often hidden in plain sight. It can happen to anyone – and the reasons behind it are just as diverse as the people affected.
At Orange Sky, we know that clean laundry and warm showers are just the beginning. What truly matters is the connection, compassion, and kōrero that happen on our Orange Sky chairs – a safe space where friends and whānau feel seen, heard, and valued.
Together, we can support Kiwis facing homelessness and hardship. This World Homeless Day, we hope this blog helps you understand the different types of homelessness and the ways it impacts communities. The more we understand, the better placed to support friends doing it tough across Aotearoa.
