Housing crisis for refuge
The Invercargill Women’s Refuge is struggling to find long term-housing for women in crisis because of a shortage of housing in Southland.
In fact, the situation is so bad, Refuge services co-ordinator Cathy Robertson said some women were staying in an abusive relationship because they had nowhere else to go, even though they wanted to move out. She described it as a crisis.
She knows of some women now living in motels while they looked for transitional housing or long-term accommodation.
Most of the women the refuge deals with have children, and it’s not an option for them to move out of the region with their children. Finding the women homes with other people was also not a realistic option.
However, in saying that, she did know of some women who had moved in with friends but over time that could create more stress in a crowded environment, she said. Sharing a house could also put some people in danger because of the violent situations some women were coming from.
Rental properties are in such demand that when women look at the houses, with a support worker, they often lost hope because of dozens of people showing up at viewings.
Habitat for Humanity Invercargill general manager Paul Searancke said the housing situation in Southland was dire.
The organisation often worked with the Salvation Army and the Invercargill Women’s Refuge to find long-term homes for families.
However, the social services groups were struggling to find anything affordable for families.
‘‘It’s getting worse and worse,’’ Searancke said. A number of community organisations took part in a hui held in 2016 and even then housing availability was identified as an issue, Searancke said. ‘‘We just need more houses.’’
Ministry of Social Development regional commissioner for Southern Jason Tibble said the ministry could connect people with community providers, like the Women’s Refuge, to help with housing and other services.
Family violence was a significant challenge for New Zealand and reducing family violence was a priority for the ministry.
‘‘We’ll help anyone that needs urgent help with housing and don’t want someone staying in an environment where they feel worried or abused,’’ Tibble said.
The ministry does help with interim housing or emergency accommodation like motels.
‘‘We also provide financial assistance and other support through Work and Income if needed.’’
Once a person’s immediate housing need was met the ministry could put families on the Social Housing Register to find them longer-term housing through the social housing assessment process.
A Ministry of Housing and Urban Development spokesperson said the ministry wants 40 more public housing places in Invercargill by June 2022.