Hutt City Council has signed agreements with seven Māori health and social service providers and marae to help whānau and individuals who are under threat of becoming homeless.

Members of Tākiri Mai te Ata Whānau Ora Collective have been working with whānau in the Hutt Valley for more than four decades.

Council chief executive Jo Miller says Māori are over-represented among the homeless, so it’s vital the council has an organisation that can work with whānau and has their trust.

She says steep rent rises are forcing many whānau out of their homes.

The collective, which can call on a broad range of social, housing, education and health services, will focus on providing early intervention support for those living in private rentals in Lower Hutt and facing the likelihood of becoming homeless.

The council has contracts with two other providers to implement its homelessness strategy the Tuatahi Centre, which works with landlords and investors to establish and support its clients into sustainable tenancies; and Community Law, which will provide housing advice and advocacy for those experiencing homelessness or housing hardship.
 

Follow us on &

Copyright © 2019, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com