A member of Whangārei's homeless community believes the creation of a day shelter is a good move.
Gwynne Williams has been living on the streets of Whangārei for the past 18 months.
He said a personal grievance forced him out of his previous accommodation. After looking at the price of rents (it's currently averaging $420 a week), he decided he wasn't going to pay rent anymore.
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Williams was pleased to hear the announcement of a venue for a day shelter.
"I think it's great, I'd use it, but it's not going to be somewhere you can live."
Whangārei woman Carrie Kake, who is working to set up the day centre, is also working on establishing a night shelter.
He thought the day shelter will "definitely" be well used by those living on the district's streets.
"It will because it's centralised. It will be awesome."
Williams also thought it was good use of the building which has been sitting empty.
Williams and a woman with knowledge of the city's homeless situation said there were at least 100 people they knew of, living rough and in cars in Whangārei.
Kake wants to offer haircuts, clothing, some pampering and offer activities to teach people to be self-sufficient at the day shelter.
"There's a lot of love in the people who are going to be volunteering,'' she said.
Kake said there is a lack of accommodation for single women and families. Kake said there was an increase in elderly people seeking accommodation as well.
"Right now we're at crisis point."
Williams said one of the barriers he faced in finding accommodation was being a single man. He said families with children were the priority, something he agreed with.
"There's worse people off than me."