For the first time in its 39-years history, Monte Cecilia Housing Trust has had to stop taking new referrals from families. Other transitional housing providers are impacted as well says Monte Cecilia Trust chief executive Bernie Smith. Smith says there are cheaper ways than private rentals to accommodate people who are homeless, and taxpayers should Read more
Emergency housing group Monte Cecilia Trust’s Bernie Smith says the Government promised “transformational change,” but that hasn’t happened. Instead, the housing crisis has worsened. “At the moment we’re getting 20 to 30 calls per day. A year ago, it was 10 to 15 calls per week,” he told TVNZ’s Breakfast this morning. “A year ago, Read more
Mother-of-two Mandy pays $375 a week for the one-bedroom caravan park cabin she shares with her two children aged 10 and 12. They moved to Western Park Village in Ranui, west Auckland, at Christmas as a last resort. “I hate it here,” she said. “I want to move out, I want my own place. There’s Read more
The Government has announced $377 million will be spent on converting some three-bedroom state houses into four or five bedroom properties, and building 500 two-bedroom homes. The Monte Cecilia Housing Trust in South Auckland says the plans must be part of a long term approach. It says the problem is much bigger than overcrowding in Read more