4) Establish an effective, accessible, and constructive accountability mechanism for the housing system, including the emergency housing system. 5) Establish an independent advisory and advocacy group grounded on Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Government cannot escape its human rights obligations, including the obligation to deliver decent emergency housing for those experiencing homelessness, by asserting that, despite the failures of the emergency housing system, the alternative would be worse because people would have nowhere to stay. We have heard from people who went back to sleeping in their cars because they felt safer there than in emergency accommodation. This speaks to the inadequacy of the system as it is currently designed and operating. In a country like Aotearoa New Zealand, neither homelessness nor a failing emergency housing system are acceptable and both fall short of human rights standards. 12 Human Rights Commission The current emergency housing system is failing those who are most in need. But it is not beyond hope or repair. There is progress. For example, we see positive signs in the introduction of pilot programmes bringing together a range of different organisations to work collectively towards change. Housing and social service providers, community organisations, hapū and iwi are all doing lifesaving work, and we have heard many suggestions for alternative ways of working that could make a positive difference. Government’s ongoing review and reset of the emergency housing system offers an opportunity to take up these new approaches and initiatives. The fear of getting it wrong must not stand in the way of taking opportunities to try something new. Now, more than ever, we need bold and courageous thinking about what a decent housing system would look like to eliminate homelessness. By working together and with imagination we can create an environment in which everyone in Aotearoa New Zealand enjoys the right to a decent home grounded on Te Tiriti o Waitangi.