It is now only a matter of time before Rotorua's homeless have somewhere to go.
Housing New Zealand is considering buying a Rotorua building to be used as a night shelter for Rotorua's homeless.
Rotorua's Nightshelter Trust chairman Peter Fry did not want to reveal where the building was, but hoped to secure it before Christmas.
He said the trust had been in talks with Housing New Zealand for years about helping them with a residence for the city's vagrants.
He was now excited about the new partnership. If the sale bid falls through, Mr Fry said Housing New Zealand would look at either leasing or purchasing another building.
"It's only a matter of time," he said.
When a building is confirmed, Mr Fry said it would be open to Rotorua's homeless people and staff at the nightshelter would try to make sure they got the appropriate help whether it was budgeting advice, help with getting benefits or drug and alcohol counselling.
However, he did say it was up to the homeless to want help first.
"We're wanting to help facilitate, not just to house them. What we want to do is give people a hand up, not a hand out."
Mr Fry said the trust was also seeking a Government contract to help with the everyday costs of running a nightshelter.
Housing New Zealand's Bay of Plenty regional manager Tony Marsden confirmed the organisation was looking at helping the Rotorua Nightshelter Trust.
"Housing New Zealand is committed to working with the Rotorua District Council and the Rotorua Night Shelter Trust to explore a possible lease or purchase of a building for the night shelter," Mr Marsden said.
Rotorua MP Steve Chadwick, who has been working with the trust to get a night shelter up and running in Rotorua, said the support from Housing New Zealand has been great.
Meanwhile, Housing Minister Chris Carter met Mrs Chadwick and members of the Nightshelter Trust last week and was impressed with the trust's efforts. His press secretary Nick Mailing said Mr Carter also recognised the need for a night shelter service in Rotorua.
Shelter for homeless imminent, says Trust
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