Abatement notice extended as numbers of homeless at church increase

A group of homeless people living on the grounds of a Christchurch church have been given a temporary reprieve, as their numbers continue to grow.

Groups of homeless people have been living on the grounds of Avonside Trinity Church since earlier this year, after the site had been previously used by freedom campers.

But the Christchurch City Council intervened three months ago after complaints about conditions and behaviour, saying either resource consent was needed, or people needed to leave the site by August 22.

However, the council confirmed today that the abatement notice has been extended until October 3.

It comes as the number of homeless people living on the site has nearly doubled, to 20.

Community worker River Rain said publicity around the situation has drawn more people to the site. 

“Because we have gone out on the news, people are really aware of us at the moment, so almost every day we are having new people show up.”

For many, the site has quickly become more than just shelter. A tenant, Carlisle Beaumont called it his safe haven.

“You come here new, but within moments it feels like you have been here forever and an extension of your own family is all of a sudden with you.”

Community worker Iain MacInnes said the reason their church has been so popular among the homeless is because of the community atmosphere they have created.

Residents and church goers have also noticed a change in the environment since the homeless community settled in.

Rain said before Trinity gave the use of its land, people could sit in church and watch drug deals happen on the corner.

Once the unhoused community settled in, it brought some structure to the area and the problems dissipated, he said.

Rain said the church team were unaware of any potential legal issues.

“From my thought, it was ‘hey we own this land, we can use it however we want’. Turns out it is a little more complicated than that.”    

They were now working through potential solutions with a lawyer.

In a statement, the council said the abatement notice had been extended until October 3 to allow additional time to identify alternative support and suitable living arrangements.

A spokesperson said the council was working with other agencies to identify options that take into account the needs and circumstances of all affected parties.

This includes temporary rubbish collection services and nighttime security patrols to promote safety and reassure the community.

MacInnes said the current goal for the church is to stay compliant with the rules and continue their mission of loving thy neighbor. For those living in the carpark, uncertainty remains - but for now, Trinity Church continues to serve as a safe haven.