New Insights from University of Otago-Led Research on Housing First for Women

A groundbreaking study published in February 2026 by researchers from the University of Otago's He Kāinga Oranga program, in collaboration with the University of Waikato and The People's Project, has shed light on the long-term impacts of the Housing First approach for women experiencing homelessness in Hamilton, New Zealand. Titled "Evaluating fifth-year outcomes housing first for women in Aotearoa New Zealand," the research analyzes data from 204 women housed between 2014 and 2017, revealing substantial improvements in health, justice interactions, and income five years post-housing. This university-driven initiative underscores the role of academic research in informing social policy and practice in Aotearoa New Zealand, where homelessness affects unique demographics compared to global trends.

Led by Dr. Brodie Fraser, the study leverages New Zealand's Integrated Data Infrastructure (IDI) from Statistics New Zealand to track service usage across multiple domains. It highlights how stable housing, paired with wraparound support, transforms lives, particularly for Māori women who comprise 76% of the cohort. As New Zealand grapples with rising homelessness—51% women per the 2023 Census—this evidence bolsters calls for expanded Housing First programs.

What is the Housing First Model?

Housing First (HF) is a rights-based approach to ending homelessness that prioritizes immediate access to permanent housing without preconditions like sobriety or treatment compliance. Originating in the United States in the 1990s, it has gained international traction for its high housing retention rates—often exceeding 85-95%—and reductions in public service costs. In Aotearoa New Zealand, HF was piloted in Hamilton by The People's Project in 2014, adapting the model to local contexts including cultural sensitivity for Māori whānau.

The core principles include separation of housing and support services, individualized wraparound assistance (e.g., mental health, addiction recovery, employment), and community integration. Unlike traditional 'staircase' models requiring behavioral changes before housing, HF recognizes housing as a human right and foundation for recovery. Early evaluations in Hamilton showed retention rates of 93% after one year and 97.5% at two years, far surpassing transitional housing outcomes.

• Immediate, permanent housing with no preconditions.
• Voluntary, flexible support services.
• Emphasis on choice, harm reduction, and positive relationships.
• Cost savings: Reduced hospitalizations and justice costs pay for housing multiple times over.

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Homelessness in Aotearoa: A Crisis Disproportionately Affecting Women and Māori

New Zealand's 2023 Census identified 102,123 people experiencing homelessness—2.4% of the population—using a comprehensive definition that includes rough sleeping, temporary accommodation, and severe housing deprivation like uninhabitable shared homes (61% of cases). Notably, women make up 51%, higher than global averages of 30-40%, often as single mothers fleeing family violence or trapped in poverty cycles. Māori are overrepresented at rates 5-8 times higher than Pākehā, with wāhine Māori comprising up to 80% of homeless women in some reports.

Women face unique barriers: intimate partner violence (24% lifetime prevalence), inadequate sole parent benefits ($20k avg insufficient for families), and 'hidden' homelessness in motels or cars with children. Economic costs are staggering—healthcare, justice, and welfare exceed $1 billion annually, per scoping studies. University research like He Kāinga Oranga's highlights intersections of housing quality, health, and equity.

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The People's Project: Pioneering Housing First in Hamilton

The People's Project (TPP) in Kirikiriroa (Hamilton) is New Zealand's flagship HF provider, a collaboration of 13 organizations housing over 400 high-need individuals since 2014. Funded initially by MBIE and later government contracts, TPP reduced rough sleeping visibly in Hamilton. The women-focused cohort study draws from TPP's first intakes, showcasing real-world application partnered with universities.

TPP's success stems from multidisciplinary teams (navigators, peer support, clinicians) providing voluntary services. Retention remains high long-term, with service reductions indicating self-sufficiency. For researchers and practitioners, TPP exemplifies evidence-based practice informing national policy.

Research Methodology: Leveraging Big Data for Robust Insights

The study employed Stats NZ's IDI, linking anonymized data on 204 women (from 360 total cohort excluding deaths) against a 1% general population sample (n=32,880). Metrics spanned one year pre-housing to five years post, covering health (hospitalizations, pharmaceuticals, mental health), justice (offences, victimizations, charges), and income (wages, benefits). Paired Wilcoxon tests assessed significance (p<0.05), with bivariate comparisons for clarity.

This administrative data approach overcomes self-report biases, capturing full service trajectories during COVID overlaps. Ethical approvals ensured privacy under five safes framework.

Photo by David Trinks on Unsplash

Demographics: A Snapshot of Vulnerability

Cohort women: 76% Māori, 57% aged 25-44, 84% parents (avg 3.3 children vs 2.1 general pop). Pre-housing, high service use reflected chronic homelessness, trauma, and deprivation. Contrasts general population (72% NZ European, 52% childless women).

Health Outcomes: Dramatic Reductions in Acute Care

Five years post-HF, hospitalizations dropped 65%, emergency mental health interactions 44%, with pharmaceuticals up 14% signaling proactive care. Mental inpatient bed-nights fell 81% (non-sig). Women saw sharper declines than men or population, easing health system burdens.

• Hospitalisations: -65%
• Emergency MH: -44%
• Pharmaceuticals: +14%

"HF has a more pronounced effect on improving the need for hospitalisation for women than for men," notes the discussion.

Justice Interactions: Promising Shifts Toward Trust

Non-significant but positive: fewer offences/charges, rising victim reports (trust indicator). Cohort justice use remained higher than population, reflecting trauma histories, but trends improved.

Income and Economic Stability: Gains but Gaps Persist

Wages/salaries +101%, benefits +19%, total income ~$20k/year. Women relied more on benefits (79% sole parent), vs men's wage surge. Insufficient for families, perpetuating poverty.

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Comparisons and Broader Impacts

Women mirrored general cohort improvements (hospital -44%, income +38%) but with gendered nuances like greater MH gains. Cost savings: Reduced acute services offset housing expenses.

Photo by MC Kontext on Unsplash

Ongoing Challenges: Family Violence and Poverty

High child numbers, violence histories demand tailored HF (e.g., Domestic Violence HF). Benefits inadequate; policy reform needed.

Policy Recommendations and Future Directions

Extend HF funding beyond 2026 pilots ($17m targeted), raise benefits, integrate violence supports. Government expansions underway; university research pivotal. Link to rate my professor for Otago faculty.

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