PHOTO/IMRAN ALI
Many Northland motels suitable for providing temporary accommodation do not accept homeless families referred to them by the Ministry of Social Development for too long, if at all.
A number of reasons including smaller rooms unsuitable for families, catering exclusively for corporate clients, not prepared to let rooms for longer than one week, or bad experiences with homeless families in the past were given by motel operators for not accepting Work and Income (Winz) referrals.
Some operators such as Kevin Sharrock of Central Court Motel on Otaika Rd, Whangarei, accept homeless families from time to time depending on availability.
He currently has a father and son who will check out tomorrow after staying for two weeks.