[ZoSo]

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/943...to-the-suburbs

Since 2014, the project has homed 778 people, including 78 of the core group of 80 chronically homeless, a number gathered by a "variety of services", Nelson says.

But the number of chronically homeless is fiercely disputed by Hamilton Christian Night Shelter manager Peter Humphreys.

He says there are between eight and 15 rough sleepers in Hamilton and that's how it's been since 2008.

There's a police study that keeps getting mooted, Humphreys says.

The study was about regulating the area round the Riff Raff statue on Victoria Street.

"There were 72 people identified hanging around the city, but only six of them were homeless at that time," Humphreys says.

"Those numbers have somehow changed to 80 - there've never been 80 rough sleepers."