25/08/15

Oxygen Dependent Elderly Woman to be Evicted

A woman who is oxygen dependent has been given a 90 day eviction notice in the Eastern suburb of Glen Innes which will terminate her tenancy this Friday 28th August.

Ponty Wiechern has lived in her home at 6 Merfield Road for over 40 years and does not want to move. Her home is under Creating Communities a group of private development companies headed by property developer Murdoch Dryden.

Ms Ponty is one of many tenants who are being evicted to make way for a redevelopment project which aims to replace state houses and build a mixture of private, affordable and a reduced number of 'social' housing at the cost of displacing the current tenants.

Like many elderly, sick and disabled tenants, Ms Ponty is not exempt from eviction despite being promised reprieve by HNZC due to her illness.

Research shows that displacement of elderly people from their communities and social networks can lead to a deterioration in health. Several elderly people have passed away soon after being evicted from the area.

Ms Ponty was shown a new home, however it was still tenanted and she is to be evicted soon. Many tenants have been displaced from the community during the redevelopment, those tenants that have been offered homes become transient as the homes offered are often under another part of the redevelopment. This can cause significant stress on those who are elderly, sick and those with young children.

The Tāmaki Housing Group oppose this eviction and stand against the privatisation of state housing and the gentrification of Glen Innes.

All people deserve secure tenure, a home and the right to stay put in their community.

ENDS

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