This report summarizes the learnings from the Auckland City Mission Family 100 research project. In order to facilitate more constructive dialogue, the project engaged 100 families living in poverty in Auckland, New Zealand and documented their experiences of everyday life including their joys,
achievements, frustrations and dilemmas. The report examines 8 key drivers that keep people trapped in poverty, including debt, justice, housing, employment, health, food insecurity, services and education, and highlights key changes that are needed in these areas.

Key Changes Families Need to See

• Debt: Families experiencing poverty face high costs from secondary lenders, trapping them in financial distress. The report suggests the use of low-interest bank loans, along with an interest rate cap on all loans, to ease their burden.

• Justice: The repercussions of imprisonment extend beyond the individual to their family, particularly affecting children. Families propose the humanization of prison visitation areas, with increased support and information to navigate its complexities.

• Housing: Families advocate for a standard that guarantees all rental housing, including state and private rentals, is dry, warm, and secure to meet basic living conditions.

• Employment: Unpredictable work contracts often leave people financially unstable. Strengthening oversight on flexible employment contracts and reviewing wage levels and benefits are critical steps proposed to help families avoid poverty and afford essential services.

• Health: Dental care costs are prohibitive for many, impacting their social and professional lives. Families call for subsidized dental care for low-income individuals and free healthcare for those on benefits.

• Food: The unrelenting stress of long-term food insecurity takes a heavy toll on families. Families say school food programs are a help, but that accessing them can be stigmatizing. They say travelling to access food banks can be a barrier and advocate for greater accessibility and streamlined processes to access food.

• Services: The complex and often demeaning system of support services hinders progress for those in need. A review focusing on improving service quality and adopting a client-centered approach is deemed necessary to better support individuals in hardship.

• Education: Families face a multitude of barriers when trying to increase their education, or when trying to ensure their children remain fully engaged with their schooling. Families advocate for funding and incentives to enable higher education and secure employment opportunities, insisting on accountability for training providers to ensure they lead to jobs.