Methodist Mission Aotearoa decide on collaboration over ownership

Following government plans to transfer more responsibility for housing low income and vulnerable tenants by selling a portion of its housing stock to community providers, Methodist Mission Aotearoa have also chosen not to participate in the transfer, instead suggesting a collaborative approach to create new housing stock.

Representing a collective of social services agencies including Lifewise, Methodist Mission Northern, Airedale Property Trust, Wesley Community Action, Christchurch Methodist Mission and The Methodist Mission Southern, as well as Tongan and Samoan services, Methodist Mission Aotearoa supports and empowers vulnerable New Zealanders nation-wide.

Methodist Mission Aotearoa does not believe that the government’s proposal to sell state housing to the social sector is in the best interest of the communities where housing is desperately needed.

Rather than focusing on a change of ownership, they propose establishing partnerships with the governemnt and other service providers to create new, good-quality, affordable housing to support the thousands of New Zealanders in need.

Methodist Mission Aotearoa provide affordable social housing and wrap-around support to individuals and families at risk of homelessness. They are concerned by the growing housing crisis, particularly evident in Christchurch and Auckland, two of the areas where they are housing The crisis is not solely about social housing, but is a combination of problems being faced by families.

Income inequality, high rental costs, poor quality housing, overcrowding, insecure tenancies and houses located away from essential services, transport and communities all contribute to sub-standard living conditions for many.

With 5000 people currently waiting to be housed, Methodist Mission Aotearoa believe the emphasis should be on growing the number of houses available, rather than focusing on a change of ownership. Methodist Mission Aotearoa believe the government should play a key role in providing quality, affordable public housing. There is also room for community housing to be part of the solution.

The Salvation Army has stated that they believe the lives of social housing tenants would not be sufficiently imporved by a transfer of ownership.
Similarly, Methodist Mission Aotearoa do not believe that taking on ownership of Housing New Zealand properties will benefit the people most in need of support; those currently accessing social housing and needing to be housed.

“We believe that the best solution is for the state to enter into partnerships with social services like ours and local communities, to provide new, quality housing, and work with people who need support to live well,” said Methodist Mission Aotearoa Chairperson and Methodist Mission Northern Executive Director John Murray.

Methodist mission Aotearoa’s Tongan Social Services representative Paula Taumoepeau suggests that the government consider the success of the Matanikololo Housing Project, a partnership between government, a local community and Airedale Property Trust, which has successfully housed over 100 people, in good quality, affordable housing in Mangere, Auckland.

Methodist Mission Aotearoa do not see the present proposal as addressing the housing situation being faced by many, and therefore do not see any benefit in participating in the government’s sell-off of Housing New Zealand properties. However, they are committed to working collaboratively with the government and other agencies to find solutions that will benefit those most in need of support; those currently accessing social housing and needing to be housed.

“We believe that the best solution is for the state to enter into partnerships with social services like ours and local communities, to provide new, quality housing, and work with people who need support to live well,” said Methodist Mission Aotearoa Chairperson and Methodist Mission Northern Executive Director John Murray.

Methodist mission Aotearoa’s Tongan Social Services representative Paula Taumoepeau suggests that the government consider the success of the Matanikololo Housing Project, a partnership between government, a local community and Airedale Property Trust, which has successfully housed over 100 people, in good quality, affordable housing in Mangere, Auckland.

Methodist Mission Aotearoa do not see the present proposal as addressing the housing situation being faced by many, and therefore do not see any benefit in participating in the government’s sell-off of Housing New Zealand properties. However, they are committed to working collaboratively with the government and other agencies to find solutions that will benefit those most in need of housing.

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