DOES COMPASSION HOUSING LACK COMPASSION?

Following on from the recent tornado that charged through Levin leaving destruction and mayhem in its wake, Horowhenua Grey Power has received reports of delays and obfuscation by Compassion Housing in repairing the damage done to the properties of some of the homes occupied by their tenants.

In one reported case the small, galvanised steel storage sheds assigned to each property were badly damaged in the storm. Those sheds are of such a state that they had to be removed, which meant that the contents had to be left outside. No attempt was made to provide coverings for the contents that had to be left to face the vagaries of our winter weather.

Having put a series of questions to the residents (tenants) it would seem that they were told that in the first instance Compassion Housing had to get assessors in to look at the damage. They were then told that due to the concrete pad being a different size from the sheds now available in the marketplace, there would be a delay in getting new sheds put up to replace the damaged ones.

No timeframe for the new sheds – no reduction in the rent – property still out in the weather. Oh, and in the middle of all that, the tenants were advised of a rent increase. Nice timing Compassion Housing!

One tenant asked about transferring to another property as another option. Of course “that could be arranged” was the response from Compassion Housing. But the new conditions were: two weeks rent in advance, four weeks bond, an increase of +$40.00 per week in the rent, no pictures on the walls, no gardens and no pot plants. How can a pensioner afford that or live under such conditions?

How compassionate is that for an elderly tenant who has occupied her residence for 15+ years, dating back to when her home was a pensioner flat owned by the community and managed by the Horowhenua District Council, lives only on her pension and struggles with mobility? Is that a

compassionate response from a large business firm that manages many properties and should know the circumstances of those impacted by a tornado?

We at Horowhenua Grey Power do not think so.