Homes for most vulnerable
Affordable rental housing for the region’s most vulnerable families is on the increase as community groups gain access to Housing New Zealand Corporation’s Housing Innovation Fund. We profile two groups who have gained HIF funding.
TrustLine, March 2009
Monte Cecilia Housing Trust, based in Mangere, South Auckland, is buying five houses in Waitakere and South Auckland. It will soon have 12 rental houses.
Trust Executive David Zussman says the scheme is helping to develop an independent housing sector which will complement the work of Housing New Zealand (HNZ).
For Monte Cecilia, housing is part of a total support package which helps people deal with the social issues or debt issues that might be holding them back.
In West Auckland, the trust’s housing worker supports people with a range of housing questions, as well as finding tenants for the trust’s own houses. At its Mangere emergency housing centre people learn vegetable gardening and cooking skills, get driving lessons and budgeting advice.
David says the interest-free HIF loans allow Monte Cecilia to set rents at 75% of market rent and still generate the money needed to eventually pay back HNZ.
In the North, Whangarei Accessible Housing Trust has been providing affordable and accessible housing for people with disabilities since 2006.
It owns eight homes in the Whangarei area, all modified for disabled people, and now plans to buy five more.
Its long term goal is a commitment to home ownership and that people with disabilities are valued as active members of their community.
Team Leader Auriole Ruka says the trust ensures disabled people can be as independent as possible in their own homes.
“The aim is for a person to be able to pay their rent, pick their own furniture, build relationships with their neighbours and really have an ordinary life that we take for granted,” Auriole says.
www.northern.ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz
ASB Community Trust grants helped both groups put together the community contribution required to access the HIF funds.
To find out more about HIF funding contact HNZC or visit www.hnzc.co.nz