Homelessness amongst young people in Christchurch is at record levels and pushing increasing numbers to live in overcrowded houses, a charitable trust says.
The comments follow a fatal fire in a state house in Parklands, where a woman had taken in four homeless young people, and a warning from the Fire Service about an increased risk of fires in overcrowded dwellings.
Corey James McLean died in the Parklands house on 13 September while rescuing a pregnant friend.
The St John of God Waipuna Trust helps young people find emergency housing and private rentals in Christchurch and currently has 30 people on its waiting list - more than ever before.
Spokesperson Paul McMahon told Radio New Zealand that before the earthquakes it was unusual for youngsters to struggle to find somewhere to live but now they could wait for up in the nine months before something became available. “In Christchurch there is more emergency transitional housing for animals than there is for young people.”
