A growing, and at times concerning, younger homeless community in Tauranga City is proving problematic for city authorities urgently looking for viable options to help stem the tide.

In the city alone there are about 35 homeless people living on the streets, who on a daily basis can be seen stirring a range of emotions within the community – from anger through to compassion.

Paul is living at a bus stop outside Harvey Norman on Cameron Road after losing his place at a hostel.

Mount Maunganui is also starting to see a number of homeless people appearing in the area, with stricter city alcohol compliance seen as a factor.

'What has happened over time is the liquor ban in the CBD has moved a lot of the more visible elements around homelessness away, so people could be forgiven for thinking maybe the problem is not as bad as it used to be,” says Tauranga Safe City coordinator Mike Mills.

'But the reality is - it's just moved. They have moved all over and what the pattern is now, is there are pockets the length and breadth of town.”

Mike believes the city council takes homelessness seriously and refers to Tauranga City Mayor Stuart Crosby's statements, which said ‘if we don't do something about it it's only a problem that will grow as the city grows'.

But Mike says there is a noticeable shift towards a younger homeless population, which he believes is being brought on by psychoactive substances and substance abuse.

'We are starting to see more younger people, and in some cases they are there out on the street because they have literally been kicked out of home, or someone's couch.

'More often than not, they may be using psychoactive substances or even methamphetamine. And these guys quickly out-live their welcome.”

Tauranga City Council bylaws officer Paul Mason says council does not have any specific policy relating to homeless people, but complaints from members of the public are common.

'Depending on the nature of the complaint we may work with the police and other relevant services to address complaints,” says Paul.

An area drawing a number issues is the bus stop near Harvey Norman on Cameron Road.

Council has received several complaints about a homeless man sleeping at the location opposite Tauranga Boys' College, and leaving rubbish in the last month.

But Paul, who is living at the bus stop, told SunLive it is not his choice. He ran out of options for suitable housing and has now been living on the streets for about a year.

Forced out of a hostel because of a drinking problem, the 70-year-old, who previously owned a home in Otumoetai, says he is left with a handful of belongings and a crippling knee injury.

'Things come and things happen. It's not a choice it's inevitability,” says Paul.

'It's not nice to be out here as we all like comfort, all of us, but people get involved in decision making and make decisions that go against your comfort. The people in hospice decided that I had a drinking problem so the police said ‘off you go Paul, on your bike'.”

Last October council removed a large number of large trees and vegetation from Mount Drury due to concerns about public safety and drug use.

At the time Tauranga City Council parks coordinator of arboriculture, Joshua Trafford, said the project was a result of concerns over the use of drugs and homeless people using the reserve during summer.

'In the summertime there is some homeless activity through there and there is a lot of material from sleeping bags, mattresses and drug paraphernalia,” said Joshua.

Mike says finding a suitable site for a shelter to be built by the Tauranga Moana Nightshelter Trust is essential and needs to be done to provide support and services to the homeless.

It is understood council has earmarked $118,000 for the project to build a shelter to house up to 15 men, from a trust it administered. Additional money will come from a community trust.

Mike says there are a number of options on the table including leasing an existing council-owned building, or building a new shelter. He believes the night shelter is not just a place for the homeless to seek refuge, but where there will be support services to help get them back into mainstream employment and accommodation.

'We are continuing our effort to establish a night shelter in the district and I think we have a well-established need,” says Mike.

'We are not aiming to provide warehousing. While it will provide shelter and temporary respite the aim is that it's the gateway to recovery for the homeless to get them re-established in a more normalised setting.”

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