PHOTO: ALLIED MEDIAA new report that shows people with disabilities spend longer in emergency housing has not surprised a Dunedin sector advocate. A study by researchers at the University of Otago, Wellington, published in the International Journal on Homelessness, found between 2016 and 2022, people with disabilities stayed in emergency housing 6% more often and for 5% longer than those without disabilities. The study drew on Stats NZ’s Integrated Data Infrastructure to analyse 65,000 people in emergency housing, including 6800 with disabilities. It found the average income for disabled people in emergency housing was $22,519, compared to $28,193 for the overall emergency housing population. "Even if disabled people are able to find an accessible private sector rental, it is often unaffordable."

Source: Otago Daily Times February 21, 2026 15:44 UTC