“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 house.”
Some years ago, Violet moved to Australia. She would probably still be there excepting that her son became ill and had to return to Aotearoa New Zealand for treatment before passing away.
I was living at my daughter’s place, but it wasn’t really suitable with too many people in quite a small house. We were talking about it one day and my daughter told me she was a Visionwest tenant. I’d never heard of Visionwest up until then. She encouraged me to register with WINZ and contact Visionwest.
Housing in West Auckland
Violet’s biggest surprise came when she learned that Visionwest, at that time, had houses in West Auckland only. Until she’d moved in with her daughter, she’d always lived out east and had never imagined becoming a full-time Westie.
It just never occurred to me that I’d be living out west, but I contacted Visionwest and met Selina. It took eight months for a place to become available, but Selina was awesome and kept in touch the whole time. Then, one day she phoned me up to say she’d take me to see a place. It was perfect for me. Handy to all the shops and other things I needed.
It was hard for me before coming to this house. I was still mourning the loss of my son. I was living with my daughter, but it wasn’t ideal. So, moving here was just wonderful.
Now, Violet is able to help support her wider whānau by having one of her young great-grandsons living with her. She has found the help provided by Visionwest to be invaluable.
If there are any issues here, I simply phone my Support Navigator or Tenancy Manager and they are so ready and willing to help me. At one point, I needed help from the Pātaka Kai. I was to shy to contact them, but they phoned me! One day, the phone rang and there was a lady from Visionwest just checking up that I had enough food for me and my great-grandson. I told them I could do with some help and got a food parcel that very day.
Having Visionwest phone me like that was awesome; so loving and caring. I’d never had anyone look out for me like that.
Read Gwenda and Robin’s Housing story. They are housed by Visionwest Community Housing Canterbury.
Despite her age, Violet would like to go back to work part-time. Having been a merchandiser for 20 years and enjoying it immensely, she misses the work but had to give it up in order to care for her great-grandson. She admits that being older, she’ll ever be able to afford to buy her own house but is happy with the one Visionwest has supplied.
Housing with Visionwest – A Recommendation
If it wasn’t for Visionwest, I’d still be crammed in my daughter’s house. That wasn’t good for her or me. I just never realised were other possibilities for housing until my daughter mentioned it.
I’m so glad I went to Visionwest because I met Selina. Everything about her was warm and inviting and non-judgemental. I can’t stress to people enough, if you have a need, contact Visionwest. If they can’t help you, they’ll know who can.
Find out more about Visionwest Community Housing