Vagrancy bylaw plans under fire

Liz Kite says homelessness is a problem in Tauranga but people need support and help rather than condemnation. Photo / John Borren

A woman who helps feed Tauranga's homeless every Saturday says a proposed bylaw to give city authorities more power to deal with vagrants is unfairly discriminating against people already falling through the cracks in society.

Social services worker Liz Kite volunteers her time and resources to set up food and coffee for about 27 of the city's homeless in the CBD each Saturday.

"The guys down there, they really appreciate it. They are not rude to us," she said.

Ms Kite's comments follow retailers speaking out about incidents including homeless people defecating and smearing faeces on their walls. Such examples were why retailers were backing a proposal by Deputy Mayor Kelvin Clout to introduce new bylaws to give authorities more muscle to deal with the city's homeless.

The issue has drawn plenty of feedback, with many people criticising the city's vagrants and suggesting they need to be removed.

"I agree that it [the faeces incident] is just not on but don't condemn the whole lot by bringing in bylaws," Ms Kite said.

"That means people can say 'we don't like the look of you, you look homeless, we are going to lock you up'. What is that going to do?

"We should be an example of how to deal with homeless. Not putting in bylaws by high powered deputy mayors. What kind of bylaw is that? How about we ask 'what do you need?', 'what can we do to help you?"'

Ms Kite said she had got to know a lot of stories behind many of the local homeless "just by treating them like an equal".

"Some are quite shy and ashamed to be where they are.

"There are a lot that do want jobs and do want a home to live in. There are the lucky ones with families that pull them through but then there's the ones without families that fall through the cracks.

"Society doesn't care if they disappear. They actually want them to disappear.

"They shouldn't be punished just because of some dumb drunks." Ms Kite said society was not set up to deal with homeless people. While the newly opened men's shelter had helped ease the strain it was far from actually being a solution, she said.

"A lot of them have trouble with addiction, which is a disease, it usually stems from post-traumatic stress disorder from trauma or violence in their childhood."

Earlier this week Mr Clout said the bylaw was not intended to persecute those unfortunate enough to be homeless "but rather protect the essence of our wonderful city". Ms Kite questioned what essence Mr Clout was trying to protect.

"I think protecting the poor and sick would be the essence we need in Tauranga," she said.

"They need a lot of support and help rather than condemnation and discrimination."

Susan Richards, who also helps feed the homeless each week, said most were very respectful.

"Most of them hate living like they do and try to find places to live but people are too quick to judge instead of listening to them and finding out their situation.

"So-called respectable people drink too much at times, smoke and do or take drugs but they are not targeted like the homeless."

-If you would like more information or to help Ms Kite in helping feed Tauranga's homeless, you can visit the group's Facebook page Under the Stars - Homeless in Tauranga.