The new Manukau bus station could be used as shelter for the homeless on winter nights

SUPPLY / MARK SCOWN

Auckland Transport is in talks with the Salvation Army about the opening of the Manukau Bus Station as that night accommodation for people sleeping in the south of Auckland.

Manukau's new $ 37 million bus interchange could become home to the homeless during the winter nights.

Auckland Transport is studying the feasibility of using the new Manukau Bus Station to provide a "hot, dry place" to the inhabitants of South Auckland, a spokesman told Stuff Sunday.

Haami Manahi, 59, homeless, was found dead on the steps of the Manurewa Methodist parish last July

Ten days earlier, Keith Johnson, a homeless man, was found dead at Onehunga

PLUS:
* Volunteers helping to keep the rough sleepers of southern Auckland warm this winter
* The homeless man at a standstill bus does not ask anything but enjoys a conversation
* Forty sleeping people lodged south of Auckland month
* Government announces $ 100 million plan to fight homelessness
* A report from the Salvation Army calls for an increased program of social housing construction

to prevent the same thing happening this winter.

Auckland Transport claims that the Manukau Bus Station could accommodate between 15 and 20 people each night during the "coldest part of winter".

"We want to be proactive and do something positive for people who are already sleeping near or around the building," said a spokesman.

Chris Harrowell

Haami Manahi was sleeping rough when he died in front of a church in southern Auckland last winter.

AT was working with the Salvation Army, which would provide on-site supervision, as well as with the bus operators and retailers who use the building.

There were also some regulatory and insurance issues to consider, said the spokesman.

If the proposal materializes, it would be for a fixed period, presumably four weeks.

Manukau advisor Alf Filipaina said the idea was raised at the launch of the station last April.

JARRED WILLIAMSON / STUFF

The station could house 15 to 20 people per coldest night this winter.

Filipaina said that Wally Thomas, director of Auckland Transportation, was discussing how to use the building for those who need it.

They were still working on ironing the finer details, but Filipaina hoped that they could start hosting this week's people.

"In the cold snap we face, we want to keep them out of the elements."

He wanted community support services to board and join those who take refuge at the station.

SUPPLIED

Alf Filipaina, District Councilor of Manukau, described at the launch of the station The use as a refuge could help the most vulnerable in the community.

"We will put you in the shelter, but we want our services to surround them: how and what can we do to support you?" Filipaina said.

"Our most vulnerable community is at the forefront of our minds."

– References