Impact Report

Visionwest Housing First Chronic Impact Report: Walking Alongside Whānau for Change

At Visionwest Waka Whakakitenga, every individual’s journey is marked by courage, complexity, and an enduring hope for a brighter future. This year, in partnership with ImpactLab, we undertook a comprehensive GoodMeasure Homes analysis of our Housing First Chronic programme, focusing on the experiences and outcomes of 712 participants from March 2023 to February 2024.

The resulting report clearly outlines the challenges whānau faced before joining our programme and highlights the significant, measurable social impact Visionwest has achieved. It not only confirms our commitment to evidence-based social practice but also demonstrates strong alignment with Government priorities and affirms the profound social value generated by our work.

Whānau Challenges Prior to Programme Start

The Challenges We Address

The analysis reveals the complex realities confronting whānau before entering Housing First Chronic, such as high rates of unemployment (63%), criminal convictions (37%), and recent debt burdens. These intertwined issues highlight that chronic homelessness is seldom the result of a single factor and reinforce the necessity for wraparound support that goes well beyond providing accommodation. Stable, permanent housing is more than a roof over one’s head, it is the foundation for transformation and renewed hope.

Alignment with Government Priorities

Our Housing First Chronic programme is directly aligned with the government’s focus on addressing homelessness and supporting vulnerable communities. The evidence demonstrates that our approach tackles the underlying causes of chronic homelessness and supports whānau on their journey towards stability and independence. This alignment further strengthens Visionwest’s role as a trusted partner in addressing Aotearoa New Zealand’s housing challenges.

Evidence of Transformation

The GoodMeasure Homes methodology provides a robust, peer-reviewed analysis of the social return on investment from our housing interventions. By collecting comprehensive data and synthesising academic literature, the analysis shows the enduring social value created when whānau receive safe, stable housing coupled with tailored wraparound support. This support is tailored specific to the person-centred, whanau-centric way our Housing First navigators engage with our most vulnerable.

Our Housing First approach is grounded in five core principles: immediate access to housing, whānau choice and self-determination, a recovery orientation, individualised supports, and fostering community connection. By removing traditional ‘housing readiness’ criteria, we enable immediate access to housing, with flexible, ongoing support tailored to the unique needs of each whānau. This approach continues to deliver outstanding outcomes.

Building for the Future

This comprehensive impact measurement strengthens our evidence base and informs our continued commitment to scaling effective interventions. The research validates that our approach of providing more than just housing is creating foundations for recovery, stability, and hope. As we continue our work toward ending chronic homelessness, this evidence guides our practice and demonstrates to funders and partners the measurable difference their investment makes in transforming lives.

Through initiatives like this GoodMeasure analysis, Visionwest continues to lead in demonstrating accountability, transparency, and commitment to continuous improvement in our mission of building hope together with communities across Aotearoa New Zealand.