News release
30 May 2007

New city centre shower block opens today for Auckland’s homeless

Auckland’s growing number of homeless people now have access to a custom-built shower and toilet block in the heart of the city, following the official opening of a new facility on Airedale Street today.

The much-needed ablution block was built by one of Auckland’s oldest charitable trusts, Methodist Mission Northern, which has been providing day-to-day care and support services for the Homeless from its Airedale Street facility since the 1920's. In recent years the work of Methodist Mission's Airedale Community Centre has included meals, clothing and washroom facilities.

Superintendent of Methodist Mission Northern, John Murray, says until now there have been no adequate shower facilities in the city that are easily accessible to the homeless community.

“Our previous washroom area was the only shower available for homeless people in central Auckland. After much fundraising, and several challenges along the way, we are thrilled to finally have been able to complete our vision to build a new facility that meets the needs of the many people who come to our community centre each day, and rely on our social support services,” he says.

With up to 150 people sleeping rough within 3kms of the new facility, demand is likely to be high.

Betty MacLaren, team leader for Safer Auckland City, says the new facility is an excellent initiative: “Auckland City Council’s action plan on ‘homelessness’ identified a need for more shower and toilet facilities for homeless people in the city centre, so it’s great that Methodist Mission Northern is addressing this gap.

“The Mission’s new development not only provides an accessible facility for regular Airedale Community Centre clients to use on a frequent basis, but it is also a place to which other service providers can refer all people without homes who need assistance and don’t always know where to go,” she says.

Methodist Mission Northern’s new ablution block has three bathrooms (male, female, disabled), each with a shower and toilets.

The facility was only made possible thanks to financial contributions from The JM McLachlan Trust, Sutherland Self Help Trust, New Zealand Community Trust, South Auckland Charitable Trust and Actives Charitable Trust.

ENDS

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