Monte Cecilia Housing Trust

Community Housing Aotearoa have just published thier frist copy of ’Doorways’ for 2012.  Read about their take on the Productivity Commission’s Housing Affordability report here.

A big thank-you goes out to the Parish of St Michael’s Catholic Church in Remuera and to the sutdents and staff at St Michael’s School.  We now have a lovely new Caring Shed at the school.  The shed houses household donations made to Monte, for the families we support.  Donations are collected regualry by our staff (as shown here) and given to families in need.  When a family is ready to leave Monte Cecilia House and move into thier own new rental accomodation, such donations are very much welcomed.

THANKS to the students of St Michael’s School, members of the parish and all who have donated to the new Caring Shed.

The New Zealand Coalition to End Homelessness (NZCEH) is calling for Housing New Zealand (HNZ) to stop decreasing their housing stock and start accommodating the growing number of people in need of housing.

“Everyone knows there is a housing crisis in New Zealand except HNZ”, says Corie Haddock Co Chair of NZCEH. ‘Why on earth are they continuing to decrease their total housing stock when we have people living in overcrowded and unsuitable situations such as, garages, caravan parks, cars and on the streets of our cities?”

“There are inconsistencies in what they are telling us” says Iris Pahau Co- Chair of NZCEH.“According to HNZ these houses are not fit to be lived in but the homes are being relocated or sold off to the highest bidder.”

A HNZ home was recently auctioned in Auckland for $850,000 – they are putting profit over people as they slash their costs to save money.

The unfortunate reality is that other government and community agencies such as the health and social services are being stretched to cope with the decisions of HNZ.

HNZ needs to understand the impact they are having on the health and wellbeing of their tenants and the homeless. Their actions contribute to the growing issue of homelessness by forcing families out of communities where they have established relationships and support networks and by failing to house those people who are in need.

HNZ need to reflect on the overall impact they are having on communities across New Zealand and align their practice with their mission statement which is to provide“affordable houses for those in greatest need, for as long as they are in need”.

You will remember that in our Christmas newsletter we featured a new initiative called “Garden to plate”, a course of gardening and cooking classes, introduced in 2011 at Monte Cecilia House in Mangere.  Practical hands-on classes were run at the house for residents by tutors, Yvonne Thomas and Mona Nimmo.

“Garden to plate” has become very popular with many families who live at Monte Cecilia House.  So much so, that in the past year, when families have been ready to leave, several were given a garden ‘start up’ pack of seedlings, spades, hand tools and compost to create their own gardens at their new homes.  It is with delight and encouragement, that we have seen families continue to enjoy the benefits of harvesting their own produce; and sharing the rewards and fun of gardening with their children.

In December of last year we ran a garden competition for ex-residents.  Nine families took on the challenge and entered.  Staff members, Elaine Lolesio and Cecilia Wulf mentored each family and monitored the progress of these new home gardens.  In March, we announced the winners!

  (First place went to Raymond & Cornelia Fakaanga and our runner up was Fareni Toga. Here Elaine Lolesio presents Cornelia with her prize.)

Congratulations and well done, to all those who participated! 

Who will roll the stone away?  You can download a copy of our latest newsletter here. Happy Easter everyone!

A Housing NZ call centre to replace office staff.  An 0800 number call centre will replace staff after Housing NZ closes offices and cuts 70 jobs.  You can view the news video from today here

This morning David Zussman our Trust Executive was interviewed on the Breakfast programme, TVNZ.  You can view the interview here.

Housing NZ is now asking tenants and those in need of housing assistance to first ring a call centre.  You can hear an interview with David Zussman and others concerned about this and more changes within HNZ, on Morning Report – here 

Here’s a look back at the beginnings of State housing in NZ. “Ensuring a healthy, happy, family life for every person in NZ.” This was the original goal of state housing in NZ. This documentary offers a fascinating look back at the housing needs of NZ in the 1930′-40s and the creation of state housing. In 1935 there was a national housing survey conducted which showed that there were many instances through-out NZ urban areas of over crowding and in adequate housing. In 1936, a Labour govt passes the Housing Act – recognizing every citizen of NZ the right to affordable rental accommodation and the right to own their own home. After WW2, in 1945 the Housing Improvement Act was passed – recognizing the urgent need for state housing. The building industry took off. Returned service men built state houses in 200 towns across NZ. “Hundreds of women were consulted”. By 1946, 20,000 state houses had been built. These houses had a life expectancy of 60yrs. The population at the time was 1.75mill. For every 12 statehouses built at the time, there was one private home built. It was estimated that by 1970 there would be a need for 100,000 state houses; 12,000 homes each year. “We will go on building homes for New Zealanders until the demand is over run” – is the last thing said in this documentary. Unfortunately, demand is not over run as yet!

You can view this video here