More Palmerston North whānau to celebrate Christmas in new homes

Kāinga Ora recently delivered new state homes in the city, including in Tamariki Lane (12 homes), Manchester Street (6 homes) and Wharenui Terrace/Rangiora Avenue (14 homes). Renovations were also completed on 24 apartments at Brentwood Avenue to make the homes warmer, drier and healthier.

Raewyn manages the local team responsible for matching people from the Ministry of Social Development’s (MSD) Housing Register with the new homes. Each match is made carefully and involves multiple pre-housing conversations with applicants, to understand their specific needs, supports and existing community connections. All so the team can make the right housing match.

“We’ve been working hard to move as many families as possible into the new homes before Christmas. It is rewarding to know that more tamariki now have a stable home, feel safe and don’t have to worry about where they will be sleeping.”

Most whānau who have moved into the new homes in Palmerston North have come from the MSD Housing Register. Some also came from emergency housing motels and transitional housing.

Raewyn says one of the customers who moved into a new home at Tamariki Lane has already made beautiful connections with her neighbours and is helping to do groceries for some of the older people around her.

“They are so happy with their new home and feel it is perfect for them. Now they can have friends and family come over for a visit, where before, they were the ones doing the visiting because they didn’t have permanent accommodation.”

Raewyn says the stable home Kāinga Ora provides, gives customers more than just a roof over their head – it’s a place customers can truly call home, rather than a transition or short-term stay.

“These new homes help whānau feel secure because they don’t need to move again. They can make it their home for as long as they need it, make connections with their neighbours and communities, and build their lives around it.”

“I have been with Kāinga Ora for almost 24 years and have had many opportunities within the organisation. This role is my favourite, because it is about providing a home for our most vulnerable people. I care deeply about people, and I get so much pleasure knowing I have been able to help someone into a home.”

“I wish the whānau who have just moved into our homes in Palmerston North a Merry Christmas and a wonderful start to this new chapter in their lives,” ends Raewyn.