Christchurch Homeless Community Forced to Leave Church Grounds

A group of approximately ten homeless individuals has been compelled to vacate the grounds of Holy Trinity Avonside church in Christchurch, New Zealand. The decision follows an abatement notice issued by the Christchurch City Council in August 2023, which required the property to stop being used as a campground. This action came after multiple complaints were filed with the council in December 2022.

Community worker Iain MacInnes expressed his dismay at the situation, noting that most, if not all, of the group left the church grounds by the afternoon of their departure. “We’re just keeping in touch because our jobs have now finished as well because of funding,” he stated. According to MacInnes, the individuals involved have shown respect towards the church and opted to leave without causing any disturbances.

The community worker highlighted the challenges faced by those displaced. “It’s heart-breaking because there’s no way for us to signpost them to say, ‘This is a good, safe place.’ We have females, we have rainbow community members – it’s not safe for them to be in certain places.” The added complexities of safety for vulnerable individuals contribute to an already difficult situation.

The church had previously acted as a liaison between the group and various support agencies, including Comcare, Housing First, and the Ōtautahi Community Housing Trust. Despite efforts to assist, MacInnes emphasized that finding stable housing is not an immediate solution. “With that, it means that obviously they can’t get a house like tomorrow or five minutes from now. These things take time,” he explained. Following their exit, he noted that the individuals were back on the housing register, though uncertainty looms regarding their next steps.

While an undisclosed area was considered as a potential alternative location for the homeless, MacInnes later learned that existing residents were opposed to more individuals moving into the vicinity. He mentioned ongoing efforts to establish a new charitable trust named Te Puna Ora, aimed at facilitating re-engagement with the homeless community by mid-2026, but stressed that this initiative hinges on securing funding.

A spokesperson for the Christchurch City Council remarked that they have extended the period of the abatement notice to allow time for the search for alternative housing options. “Council staff have been liaising with these agencies, including the City Mission, to support the process,” they stated. The council clarified that Holy Trinity chose not to apply for resource consent to convert the car park into a camping ground.

The spokesperson also noted, “The council has not directed where people leaving the site should go. Our focus is to support social service agencies in finding safe accommodation and support options for those affected.” They acknowledged the necessity for a comprehensive city-wide strategy to address homelessness, stating that community providers are currently in the early stages of planning this initiative.

As the homeless community navigates this transition, the collaboration between local agencies and the council will be crucial in ensuring that vulnerable individuals have access to safe and secure accommodation options in Christchurch.