Move-On Powers Don’t Solve Homelessness – Investment in Housing and Support Does, Salvation Army Says
The Salvation Army is backing Community Housing Aotearoa and Te Matapihi in opposing ‘move-on’ powers, warning that they will not reduce homelessness and will instead displace vulnerable people into more dangerous and isolated situations.
The Salvation Army says homelessness is increasing across Aotearoa, and that enforcement approaches—such as move-on orders being considered by government—risk deepening the crisis rather than resolving it.
“Move-on powers don’t solve homelessness. They just shift it somewhere else,” says Lt-Colonel Ian Hutson of the Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit at The Salvation Army.
“We know what works—access to emergency housing, permanent homes and wraparound support for health, mental health and addiction. Moving people along doesn’t address any of the reasons they are homeless, and it undermines the relationships and trust that help people into stable housing.”
The Salvation Army’s latest national insights show:
- Homelessness is rising or unchanged in every region.
- Women and older people are increasingly affected, with a disproportionate impact on Māori.
- Auckland’s homelessness numbers have doubled in the past year.
- Move-on actions break connections with outreach teams, health services and housing navigators—making it harder, not easier, for people to access support.
Ian says the solutions already exist and are working across the country.
“Where agencies, councils, police and iwi work together with housing providers, we are seeing real progress,” he says.
“Housing First, kaupapa Māori approaches, mental health and addiction support, and safe transitional options all help people stay housed. That is where investment and leadership need to go—not into punitive measures that push people further from help.”
The Salvation Army is calling for:
- More access to emergency housing and permanent housing, including Housing First and kaupapa Māori models.
- Sustained funding for wraparound services, particularly mental health and addiction support.
- Cross-agency collaboration, which has already proven successful in several regions.
- Policies that keep people connected to services—not pushed out of sight.
“Policing homelessness is not a solution,” Ian says. “Providing homes, dignity, mana and long-term support is. We need to stay focused on what works.”
The Salvation Army Territorial Media Officer, 021 945 337, email: media@salvationarmy.org.nz (The Media Officer responds to enquiries from media outlets and journalists. If you would like to donate, are in need of help, or have some other non-media-related enquiry, please call 0800 53 00 00.)