Over nine years, Tamara, her partner and daughter lived in two different rental properties. When the landlord sold up, they began the search for new accommodation but, because they had a dog, couldn’t find housing anywhere. In the end, Tamara’s...
Kushla and Duran's Visionwest housing story began when they became part of the Canterbury Community Housing whānau. Here’s what's happened since. Kushla: We lived in a rented property but that went pear-shaped with the rental costs and other...
Blake’s housing story with Visionwest began when he saw his lifestyle reflected in the hurt on the faces of his children and saw how the way he lived was affecting their behaviour and health, he knew something needed to change. For such a long time...
For years Gwenda and Robin lived on a farm just out of Westport. Then Robin was diagnosed with a serious illness which meant they needed to relocate to Christchurch to be closer to family and the medical services that Robin would need. As Gwenda...
“If I knew someone who was struggling in anyway, especially with housing, I’d say, ‘Contact Visionwest, they’ll help you out,’ because, if it wasn’t for Visionwest, I’d still be homeless. Probably staying with my daughter or at someone else’s...
When we moved into our Visionwest housing, we felt so grateful. After five years of marriage, it was the first time we had ever been able to be together alone. I was so happy, I cried. Ruci and her family had been living in a three-bedroom house...
Barry and Florence* had retired and were living in a one-bedroom unit in a retirement village when family circumstances led five of their grandchildren to come and live with them. It was overcrowded and stressful, but they couldn’t find alternative...
When Esera opened his home to a man who had no place to stay, he also had his eyes opened to the many people in our community who are experiencing homelessness. As he explains: “I brought this man down to Visionwest so he could get some food and,...
What makes all the difference with Visionwest is the wraparound services that are provided. If a housing tenant needs budgeting, they can get budgeting, if they need food, there’s food support available, same with counselling. Everything you need...
My dream is that we might receive a miracle regarding Robin’s health. We are certainly open to that but I’m also realistic. Beyond that, my hope is that I can keep Robin at home as long as I possibly can. I don’t want him having to be put into care...