North Shore Times (New Zealand)
‘Working poor’ trend grows in North Shore
Half of the families taken in by an emergency housing facility in Birkenhead last month had a least one working parent.
De Paul House housing coordinator Lesley Farmer said the statistic pointed to a new ‘‘working poor’’ trend in Auckland city, even in the relatively affluent North Shore.
‘‘Our families are not on drugs, they are not unemployed, and they are not out of prison. We need a paradigm shift,’’ Farmer said.
‘‘I ask you, how long would you last if you lost your job and had to pay rent, bills and food. A few months - or weeks?’’
The term ‘‘working poor’’ describes families on minimum wage who are trapped between not being able to afford private rentals and not having access to Housing New Zealand, she said.
De Paul House responds to the needs of homeless families, providing emergency housing and support.
Staff members, volunteers and partners of De Paul House celebrated the 400th anniversary of its patron saint, St Vincent de Paul with an Awareness Day, September 27. The annual event is a reflection of the modern importance of the work of the saint did, work which is still relevant today.
In June this year, De Paul House opened new facilities to accommodate 23 families, almost doubling its capacity from 12 families last year. In the last three months, De Paul House has re-housed 144 individuals or 37 families.
General manager Jan Rutledge said while numbers can never capture the story behind these families and the despair of their situation, it does speak to the overwhelming need for increased affordable and social housing.
‘‘There is a crisis and we are here to help,’’ Rutledge said at the event.
‘‘These people are working Kiwis that can’t survive in the current housing climate.’’
Positively, De Paul House is supported by a strong community of care in Birkenhead, with local volunteers helping out with food, clothing and household donations. The House also has a strong focus on facilitating participation, which includes providing access to an on-site e-learning centre and early childhood education centre.
‘‘We are a credible, organisation adjusting and meeting the needs as required,’’ Rutledge said.