Summer 2024 update to our supporters

Kia ora koutou

Welcome to 2024!

A gender lens on housing design

We have been working with Allen+Clark and Solari Architects to understand how we can influence the way housing is designed for women, especially women experiencing homelessness.

We have only just started on this work and we are standing on the foundations of some incredible mahi in kaumatua housing, housing for older people, accessible and adaptable housing, and urban design.

Read our blog about why it is important to put a gender lens on housing design.

As steering committee member and Auckland City Missioner, Helen Robinson said about the work at Te Whare Hīnatore, their women-only transitional housing:

“My experience at Te Whare Hīnātore and HomeGround teaches me that design can not only make ‘a’ difference’ but coupled with good service delivery – is ‘the difference’ in the transformation of lives.”

Watch this space as we continue to push for women’s experiences and knowledge to be integrated into our public and affordable housing.

Upcoming webinar

A reminder about our upcoming webinar with Gill Brown from Dunedin City Council and Lily Deane from Housing First Auckland. This is the first in our series covering community leadership of data and evidence. You have 13 days left to register!

What: Making the invisible, visible - local data and evidence approaches to understanding women's experiences of homelessness. 

When: Feb 14, 2024 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Register in advance for this meeting at the below link:

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIoce2grD4tE9K9jD1kmxlaqsuyD9g-GMoy

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

We are still happy to have one or two more panelists join us, so we welcome recommendations.

News and views

Did you see the piece on 1 News about the Mum in Tauranga living in emergency accommodation with her three kids even though she can pay rent?

“"I'm applying for 20 to 30 houses a week."

But she said she's constantly turned away despite willing to pay $750 a week, $80 more than the record breaking weekly median rent which is higher than what you'd pay in Auckland.”

It says a lot about the impact of our high rent prices on our women and families and Hollie’s story is one that many transitional housing providers are hearing - even when people can pay the rent, homes for families are in very short supply.

It connects directly to recently published research from Britain which shows that "every year of [insecure] private renting was associated with an extra 2.4 weeks of ageing on average”.

That’s more than being unemployed (adding about 1.4 weeks of ageing per year), obesity (about 1 week), or being a former smoker (about 1.1 weeks), according to the research.

Secure, safe, affordable, and healthy homes are at the heart of the solutions to so many of our health and well-being challenges - these stories and findings light the fire under us as we plan our advocacy for 2024.

Thank you all for your continued support. We look forward to getting around the motu to see more of you in person in 2024!

He iti te mokoroa, nāna i kati te kahikatea

The grub may be small, but it cuts through the kahikatea

Vic, Helen, Jo, Caroline, and Jill