#34 - Amanda Kelly- The conversation starts here: An introduction to the findings, themes and voices shaping Aotearoa's homelessness response

In this episode, we speak with Amanda Kelly. Policy and Practice Manager at Community Housing Aotearoa.Amanda brings a background spanning local government, community development, and health promotion—including direct experience supporting Auckland Council's operational response to homelessness. She is an advocate for building the systems and tools that enable better decisions and better outcomes for communities.In this conversation, Amanda reflects on how the homelessness response in Aotearoa has evolved since 2016. From emergency grants and the silence around the word "crisis," to a growing national infrastructure of Housing First collectives, sustaining tenancies programmes, and cross-sector collaboration. We explore what it means to go upstream and address root causes rather than symptoms, the role of lived experience in good policy design, and why collaboration—however hard—is non-negotiable. Amanda also shares her conviction that homelessness in Aotearoa is solvable, and what it will take to get there.We'd like to thank Amanda for taking the time to speak with us for this episode.More information on this episode can be found in the episode description. And don't forget to subscribe to the CHA Hub Podcast—wherever you get your podcasts from.The CHA Hub Podcast is sponsored by our Founding Partner, Westpac New Zealand.