Our History

Monte Cecilia Housing Trust was established in 1982 by the St Vincent de Paul Society, Liston Foundation, the Sisters of Mercy and the Marist Brothers. The original purpose was to provide emergency housing and practical assistance to families with a housing need. The Trust also sought to ensure adequate, affordable and secure housing for all New Zealanders through housing action and political advocacy.

In 1989 Monte Cecilia House (as it was formerly known) was registered as a Charitable Trust so as to continue to provide and expand its services in response to a growing need among low income families for housing assistance.

For twenty years, the Trust was based at the Pah Homestead in Hillsborough and considered as a valued resource by the local community and Auckland City.

In 2002 the Catholic Diocese of Auckland, which owned the Hillsborough property, decided to sell it. Monte Cecilia House Trust and the Auckland Catholic Diocese agreed that serving families with housing needs was an important mission that should be continued. Working together, the Trust and the Diocese found an alternative site resulting in the relocation of Monte Cecilia House to a former rest-home in Mangere in 2002, following a six month period of refurbishment and reconstruction.

The relocation has enabled the Trust to continue its vital programmes and services, increasing its capacity to provide emergency housing accommodation for up to 12 families at any one time. The Trust also now owns a further 2 properties in Mangere and 5 properties in Waitakere City, which provide short term and emergency housing for families.

The Trust now operates as the ‘Monte Cecilia Housing Trust’ under the auspices of the Catholic Diocese of Auckland.