Salvation Army Launches 2026 Winter Appeal as Child Homelessness Crisis Deepens
The Salvation Army has launched its 2026 Winter Appeal, calling on New Zealanders to stand together as a growing number of families and children face homelessness across the country.
This year’s theme, Hope for Homeless Families, comes as new research reveals more than 33,000 children are living in severe housing deprivation — including in cars, garages, overcrowded homes and other unsafe conditions.
Overall, more than 112,000 people in Aotearoa New Zealand are now experiencing severe housing deprivation, the highest levels recorded.
“Too many families and children are facing the heartbreak of homelessness,” says Captain Andrew Wilson, Salvation Army Corps Officer, Wellington South.
“With the rising cost of living, we’re seeing more people pushed to the brink; forced to choose between putting food on the table or keeping a roof over their heads.”
For many tamariki, homelessness is hidden: sleeping on couches, sharing crowded rooms, or living in cold, damp spaces never meant to be homes. Research shows these children are more likely to experience poor health, miss school, and fall through the cracks of the system.
Funds raised through the Winter Appeal will support essential, community-based services, including emergency housing, food support, budgeting advice and ongoing wraparound care to help families regain stability.
“People are overwhelmed right now,” Andrew says. “No child should face winter without a warm, safe place to sleep, yet that’s the reality for far too many Kiwi families.”
One family who remains deeply grateful is Jack and Tula* and their four children. When their housing options ran out, they moved between friends’ and relatives’ homes, never able to stay long as space ran out. Eventually, they had no choice but to live in their van. With two sons on the autism spectrum, the cramped and unstable environment made daily life even more challenging.
Through The Salvation Army’s support, the family was able to move into a four-bedroom social housing home.
“Words cannot describe the relief of having a roof over our heads. We finally have space to put down roots and start again,” Jack says.
The impact of stable housing on families like Jack and Tula’s is immeasurable, yet many more families are still waiting for that same chance to rebuild.
This winter, The Salvation Army is urging Kiwis to give what they can, because every contribution helps provide warmth, shelter and hope.
Donate today at salvationarmy.org.nz or give at your local Salvation Army centre.
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.)