Christchurch East MP Reuben Davidson has told Parliament there is a growing homelessness crisis in his electorate, with children, pensioners and working people living in cars and tents during freezing winter temperatures.

Speaking during a local issues debate, Davidson said, “It’s clear we have a real problem, and it is clear in Christchurch East because we see it every day.”

“Some of these mornings it’s negative 3 degrees and we’re seeing children living in tents and cars. We’re seeing retired people living in tents and cars. We’re seeing working people living in tents and cars across Christchurch East.”

Davidson criticised the Government for failing to explain what happened to people evicted from emergency accommodation.

“The Prime Minister tells us that homelessness is a really complex issue and that he is proud of the work they’re doing, and yet no one can tell us where a large percentage of people kicked out of emergency housing have gone.”

He said front-line workers were warning of a sharp increase in rough sleeping.

“Christchurch City Missioner Corinne Haines tells us that they’re seeing more homeless people here in Christchurch than ever in the past, and many more new people, including those who have work.”

Davidson spoke about a 23-year-old full-time worker living in her car in the red zone.

“She tells us it’s cheaper to live in a car than it is to rent. She would love to have a permanent place to live, but she doesn’t hold out hope for any Government support, and she tells us that they care more about money than love for people. That’s what she tells us.”

He also raised the case of Polly, a 69-year-old woman who has been living in a van in the same area.

“Polly tells us that she has money in the bank but not enough to buy a house, so as a pensioner, renting for her is out of the question because she wouldn’t have any money left for her food or her bills. So literally, her van has become her home.”

“She says she has no heating in the van and when it’s minus 3 degrees, she just takes to the bed in her van and burrows under the covers.”

Davidson added, “Polly says that she’s mostly happy in her own company, and she also says that living in the red zone was lonely. She says she’s not alone, but she’s lonely.”

He said the crisis was being made worse by the Government’s decision to sell public housing.

“At the same time as Polly tells us this, there’s something happening in suburbs across Christchurch East in Parklands, in Aranui, in Bromley, in Avondale, in Shirley, in Linwood, in New Brighton. This Government is selling Kāinga Ora homes.”

“People are living in tents and cars and you are selling homes in Christchurch East that they should be living in. Children are living in tents and cars in winter and you are selling the homes they should be living in.”

“These people are not alone because there are lots of them,” Davidson said, “but they are lonely because this Government is leaving them behind.”