May 01, 2017
Awhi and tautoko wrapped with emergency houses
The head of a trust creating emergency housing in Tauranga wants to end homelessness in the city by 2020.
Te Tuinga Support Services Trust, which was started by the Maori Women's Welfare League 26 years ago, has just opened two houses on Cameron Rd – Whare Awa named after the late Awanuiarangi Black, and Whare Ora.
Tommy Kapai Wilson says that's in addition to Whare Tauranga, which opened last year on The Strand.
Most of the clients are mothers with children, and they will stay for 12 weeks learning about budgeting, health and other useful skills.
"Some of them are learning weaving so every day of the week they get stronger and within that 12 week period we take them back to the landlords or with the connections we have got we move them into permanent accommodation but these people are disconnected, they need a bit of awhi and a bit of tautoko to put them back on the right path and then they're good to go and land agents are happy to pick them up because land agents can't vet and help these people, that is what we do, and we are the passport to helping get back to a permanent whare," Mr Wilson says.
Two more emergency houses will open this month: Whare Ka named after founding trustee and Maori Women's Welfare League past president Ka O'Brien, and Whare Potae, a place to hang your hat.
FULL INTERVIEW WITH TOMMY KAPAI WILSON
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