Housing issues hitting families hard

A lack of affordable housing and rapidly increasing rents are causing more and more local families and individuals to struggle financially, according to support service organisations.

Warkworth/Wellsford Budget Service co-ordinator Jo Walker says the higher cost of housing and also the lack of accommodation is having a huge impact on individuals and families.

“Around 70 per cent of our clients live in rental accommodation and some are paying 65 per cent or more of their income in rent,” she says. “It is particularly difficult for single people to find affordable or suitable accommodation.”

Quentin Jukes of Homebuilders in Warkworth agrees, and says they are seeing increased numbers of people whose financial situation is precarious.

“The underlying issue in this area, like most of the country, is housing costs and the impact of that, particularly on people on middle and, especially, low incomes. To find anything even vaguely affordable to rent, never mind to buy is an ever-increasing problem,” he says.

“What we constantly see are people struggling to get by week on week. Even one small cost, like a child losing a school jersey, or a flat tyre, or some whiteware breaking down, puts people in a really precarious position, and then they get behind with their rent and find themselves in dire situations quite quickly.

“When you’re sailing that close to the wind, just a small thing can put you over the edge.”

The change in government and an increase some benefit payments might offer a degree of short-term hope, but a more fundamental change in policy and society as a whole is required, they say.

“The increase in the accommodation supplement coming into effect on April 1 will be very welcome, however this doesn’t apply to all areas,” Jo Walker says. “The provision of social housing and an increase in benefits and accommodation supplements across the board is essential to improve the situation for individuals and families.”

Quentin Jukes says he is “cynically hopeful” that the new government might bring about meaningful change, but says the proof of the pudding will be in the eating.

“What people are eating for breakfast this week is not based on policy, it’s based on dollars and cents, and when we see that change, we’ll be a lot happier,” he says.

“While our system focuses on people working for the economy, rather than the economy working for people, there is always going to be a problem.

“It’s partly about the minimum wage and basic income levels, but it’s also about what work we value as a society.”

How to get help and what you’re entitled to

Warkworth/Wellsford Budget Service

Free and confidential budget advice from Puhoi to Kaiwaka. Trained advisers visit clients in their home to draw up budget plans, manage debt and help people to balance and prioritise income and spending.
Info: Phone 423 7123, Email admin@wwbudgetservice.co.nz

Homebuilders Family Support Services

Free and confidential practical help and information on a wide range of issues. “We check people are getting what they should be getting and know about the legal entitlements they have for support.”
Info: homebuildersfs.org, Phone 425 7048, Email homebuildersfs@clear.net.nz  

Otamatea Community Services

Free, one-on-one confidential financial mentoring and family support.
Info: otamateacs.org.nz, Phone 09 431 9080, Email reception@otamateacs.org.nz

Christians Against Poverty (CAP)

Free debt counselling charity based in Auckland, operating via local churches. Open to anyone.
Info: capnz.org, Phone 0508 22711, Email: info@capnz.org