/ Blog

The government says it wants to change the narrative around suicide. That requires more than encouraging people to talk, although that is extremely important as well.  It requires properly funded services, measurable commitments and a willingness to change course when existing policies are not delivering.

First People blogs have routinely referred to the rancid scenario of sleeping rough in the winter time and the mind naturally wanders to the misery thousands of people are set to face on the streets. 

Significant changes to the education system, energy prices and most relevantly, homelessness prevention, have been announced, but questions remain over numerous issues far too long to list here. These are expected in a 10-year plan later in the year, which will no doubt also include more details on the long term plan to end rough sleeping in the country. 

A lot of the estimates surrounding homelessness and rough sleeping are just that - estimates. There are many reasons it is difficult to ascertain true statistics, but it also doesn't even seem like a remotely possible proposition when the best guesses are as high as they are.