Homeless hui a success

Hamilton Homeless held its first volunteer meeting as part of its bid to formalise the group to help the homeless.

The group had a strong turnout of about 30 people attending the meeting held in the Latter Day Saints Centre on Ward Street.

The group focused on two main issues: forming a trust to legalise their operations, and a location where they could serve their next meal.

Currently the group does not have a place where they can serve food legally as they have no council permits.

While the council did offer the use of a space and to wave the fees for its use, Claire Chapman said she declined the offer as it was too far from the CBD and offered no shelter during bad weather.

She was concerned that many of the older homeless people would be affected by the move.

The evening started with introductions with many sharing their experiences and explaining how they came to be involved with the group.

Pastor for C3 church in Rototuna Geoff Newell,  said to the group: “I think you guys are making a difference and I’m excited by that. I’m here to support you in the best way I can.”

Included in the meeting were two homeless men who spoke about their own experiences and how the group’s work had impacted on their lives.

Claire Chapman then read out the group’s mission statement and outlined her vision for the future.

She hopes to have a venue where they can operate from 8am  until 8pm where they will serve meals to all those are hungry.

In future they want to provide services such as alcohol and drug support groups for those homeless that are affected.

Hamilton East MP David Bennett, who  was  at the meeting,  said he thought the group’s  charitable trust status would come later.

“The immediate thing is to just get somewhere you can do it. Now if you’ve got somewhere that’s existing, that’ll probably cover off a lot of your council issues because they’ll be consented.”

At this stage the group is planning to continue serving meals despite council warning they would take legal action.