Lawsuit threat for housing trust
A businessman is threatening to file a lawsuit against a charitable trust setting up a house for the homeless in his daughter’s neighbourhood.
Roderique Hope Trust is an emergency housing trust which had rented a house in Tainui St in New Plymouth for homeless families to live for a period of up to three months.
Businessman John Rae, whose daughter Brooke and grandchildren lived in the street, was not happy with the idea and has threatened to file a lawsuit against the trust if his daughter’s property value decreases because of the emergency housing venture.
More than 40 people who live in or around Tainui St attended a public meeting on Monday afternoon to discuss the house.
Many residents had questions about the venture regarding safety and whether it would affect the value of their homes. They came armed with a list of 26 questions.
But no one from the trust attended the meeting, which Rae, who is a guarantor on his daughter’s mortgage, has slammed as cowardly.
‘‘That no one fronted shows appalling disregard for the people in Tainui St.’’
Trust spokeswoman Michelle Ramage said trust members were unable to attend because it was a holiday weekend and not everyone was available.
The trust had made written contact with the residents of Tainui St inviting them to contact the trust if they had any concerns about short term emergency accommodation being provided.
‘‘This is so the trust can address each individual resident’s concerns, as they will differ from household to household.’’
Ramage said a scheduled door knock was to take place last Thursday but Rae, who said he was the spokesman for the street, told them residents did not want to see trust members on their doorstep.
‘‘So out of respect, the scheduled door knock was cancelled,’’ she said.
Ramage said the trust had a strict assessment process and thorough checks were made on each person who would reside in the home.
‘‘In depth house rules are agreed to in the trust intake process. Regular inspections are carried out and monitoring of the property is maintained.’’
It was of paramount importance to the trust that the family who would live in the house, the house itself and the residents of the street were kept safe and protected, she said. ‘‘We are currently in the process of obtaining legal advice and will be in a position to comment further when we have done so.’’
The owner of the home being rented to the trust, who didn’t want to be named, said the trust had convinced him it would be good tenants.
‘‘In addition, I fully support the goals of the trust and I am happy to contribute to them. We have a housing crisis in New Zealand and I believe it is good to help vulnerable people finding accommodation.’’
Meeting chairwoman and real estate agent Kim Fever said residents would be stronger as a group.
‘‘There are many questions that we need to be put forward to the trust.’’
If people were selling their houses they would need to disclose that there was emergency housing on the street, she said.
One woman said she had lived in Tainui St for 45 years and supported the trust’s work.
‘‘These people are homeless, they have no criminal record. I have it in my heart to welcome people who don’t have homes into the street.’’
They weren’t anarchists, one man said, residents just wanted to talk with the trust.
‘‘We’re not going to shout them down. I don’t see anybody who is capable of shouting them down. We are just concerned there is no information.’’
Mother of two Brooke Rae said she just wanted to find out what was going on.
‘‘All we ask is for information. We’re not here to attack.
‘‘It’s not that we oppose these types of people coming in. We just want to know who are they? How are they vetted and what is the back up if something goes wrong?’’