De Paul House
A growing demand for emergency housing suitable for families has seen North Shore’s De Paul House moving to adapt its accommodation to suit the needs of its clients.
It is reconfiguring the small bedsits in its Northcote building into family units capable of accommodating two parents and up to six children. Not only will this allow De Paul House to support larger families, but the living arrangements and the programmes it offers will help the families develop the skills needed for sustained independent living.
The organisation says it is facing a growing demand, mostly from Māori and Pacific community families. In 2010 it was only able to accommodate 25 of the 238 eligible families that applied. The refurbishment of its units will increase capacity and provide more suitable accommodation which will all be self contained.
In 2010 a $400,000 grant from ASB Community Trust helped De Paul House begin the emergency accomodation redevelopment project.