Sustaining Tenancies

Practical support for tenants who are at risk of losing their tenancy

About Sustaining Tenancies

Sustaining Tenancies is a service for tenants of both private rentals and social housing.

It is for individuals, families and whānau requiring different levels of service support including:

Tenants who need a low level of support to stay in their home.
Tenants with complex life events and risk factors.
Vulnerable tenants experiencing multiple risk factors and adverse life events.

Visionwest’s Sustaining Tenancy Service is available in West Auckland and Canterbury, and is a free service for all tenants and landlords (not just those already associated with Visionwest) to provide support through tenancy issues with the aim of preserving the tenancy.

Need help with a tenancy?

If you would like to refer yourself or someone else to the Sustaining Tenancy service, please complete our referral form and one of the team will be in touch.

Complete our Referral Form

Benefits for Tenants

Gain the opportunity to maintain their tenancy and stability of lifestyle.
Learn the skills required to maintain a long-term tenancy.
Receive life-supports relevant to ongoing needs.

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Benefits for Landlords

Help their tenants maintain their tenancy and avoid homelessness.
Avoid or reduce neighbourhood conflict.
Avoid the need for eviction.
Gain good long-term tenants and avoid periods without tenants and the cost of replacing tenants.

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How Sustaining Tenancies Works

Visionwest provides each tenant with a Sustaining Tenancies Support Navigator who works hands-on with the tenant to develop workable plans and provide regular support with the aim of retaining their tenancy and working through any issues that put their tenancy at risk.

This enables a tenant to retain their rental property and means landlords don’t need to search for new tenants.

The support provided depends on the needs of each family or individual, but could include:

Budgeting advice to help with rent arrears and other money issues.
Support to rectify any eviction issues.
Help with issues with neighbours or landlords.
Healthy living plans.
Alcohol and drug dependency relapse prevention.
Life-skills coaching.
Linking with other support services such as counselling, alcohol and drug specialists, employment agencies, education providers, foodbanks, and parenting programmes.
Identifying cultural needs and provide links to services for support.
Providing resources and training for managing behavioural issues.
Providing support to maintain housing and liaise with landlords regarding any issues related to their tenancies.

Who we work with

Our Sustaining Tenancy Support Navigators work with families and individuals who:

Are private rental or social housing tenants, who have a tenancy as defined under the Residential Tenancies Act.
Have given written consent to receive support.
Are on a pathway to homelessness and/or are at risk of eviction.

Need help with a tenancy?

If you would like to refer yourself or someone else to the Sustaining Tenancy service, please complete our referral form and one of the team will be in touch.