As an Essential Service, during this lockdown time the VisionWest Housing team has been focussed on providing emergency accommodation for those who are homeless and needing housing, such as people who have been rough sleeping, and those who require rehousing. During the past two weeks we have rehoused seven people and placed three new tenants into homes. Once such couple is Grant and Rosie*.
Grant has been on and off the streets for the last five years and Rosie for several months. In recent times they were sleeping on the pavement outside some shops in Glen Eden – but not anymore! They have moved into a new home through VisionWest’s Housing Service.
Their excitement at seeing their new home was immediately obvious. They couldn’t believe it when they walked through the front door; they were overwhelmed and grateful to everyone at VisionWest. Rosie’s mum was crying on the phone when she was told they had a place to live.”
Providing Grant and Rosie with this blessing was a real team effort. Thanks to the entire Housing team, especially Fiona for all her support liaising with WINZ (one-hour wait on the phone) to secure grocery money; Wendy their Support Navigator; Markly and Danielle for helping with the paperwork; Nadine for completing the pre-inspection and tenancy sign up; Chrissy for approving the last minute sign-up; James and Will for approving essential bedding and Fiona for queuing at the warehouse to buy it; Kelly and Sherree for getting food together; and Heather for getting towels and sheets and other necessary items.
It’s great that, at this time of crisis, we’ve been able to ensure that this couple, and others like them, have a bed and a warm, dry home to live in rather than sleeping out on the streets.
*names changed for privacy.
NOTE: All VisionWest activities are carried out in strict adherence to the Government guidelines relating to personal distance, PPE, etc.
Click here to find out more about Visionwest Community Housing.