On the eve of her departure from TPA, Helen Gatonyi gives some advice for tenant advocates.
Helen Gatonyi came to TPA for a six month contract and stayed for 25 years. This week TPA’s Manager will be leaving to take up new opportunities. I asked her what advice she would give a new tenant advocate- and this is what she said:
“It’s all about the human story when you’re working as an advocate. How you hear the story and work with that person to address what’s going on,” says Helen. “It’s hearing with an open ear and being aware of what’s being held back- that’s what works best in an advocate, listening with respect.”
In this issue we have a new member profile: Christchurch Tenants Protection Association, we learn how to be a great advocate for tenants from Helen Gatonyi who leaves TPA today after 25 years and we have an update on methamphetamine contamination in rental accommodation, amongst other news.
A project to improve fire safety for supported housing is on track for completion by the end of the year. It is part of MBIE’s Fire Programme.
Through the warm and dry programme, all Housing New Zealand properties will, where required, have a warm and dry assessment and intervention, completed on them.
In April, CHA Director Scott Figenshow wrote to Minister for Social Housing Paula Bennett with a proposal to stimulate new social and affordable housing production by converting Housing Innovation Fund term loans to equity.
Every fortnight Geoff Simmons talks with Jesse Mulligan on RNZ’s Afternoons programme about a variety of economic issues. This week they cover the housing bubble. Will it burst?
The Otautahi Community Housing Trust has 25 positions to be filled by people who want to help Christchurch residents who need support with social housing
In the first meeting of its kind a steering group established to tackle homelessness and emergency housing needs in Tauranga came up with a plan of action. The Tauranga Homeless Steering Group has a plan to find short- to medium-term solutions for women and families currently living on the streets or in cars and tents. The group first planned to find out how many families were homeless, where they were and what they needed.
MBIE have recommended that community housing providers consider implementing policies and procedures for the identification and treatment of methamphetamine contamination for properties in your portfolios. Consideration should also be given to the development of policies and processes for keeping staff and tenants safe in such circumstances. In this regard, Emerge Aotearoa has been leading the way in developing policies for the testing and treatment of methamphetamine contamination. To assist you in developing your own policies in this area, Emerge Aotearoa has kindly agreed to share these policies with the sector.
The Prime Minister John Key says the government's relocation grant for Aucklanders in social housing enables them to move somewhere that 'suits their lifestyle'. But David Zussman from CHA talks about the demand for community housing in Auckland.
